Each week, our βWhatβs on Tapβ series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more.Β Also, check out our weekly reviewΒ “Get a Grip” for a look back at last weekβs notable news.
Monday, July 11
Knicks look to remain undefeated at NBA Summer League
The New York Knicks have rolled through their first two games at the NBA Summer League, outscoring opponents by an average of 22.5 points per game. The Knicks take the court at UNLV against the Portland Trail Blazers on Monday in the nightcap of a six-game slate. At DraftKings, the Knicks are the second choice to win the Summer League with odds of +500.
With several high draft picks on their roster, the Pistons are the favorites on the futures market at +400. Three others — the Magic, the Clippers, and the Raptors — have odds in the single digits. Magic rookie Paolo Banchero has averaged 20 points and five rebounds per game through two contests.
Wednesday, July 13
Amy Howe, “Mattress Mack” highlight SBC North America summit
Each year, the SBC Summit North America brings together the industry’s top stakeholders to discuss the hottest topics throughout the U.S. sports betting ecosystem. The agenda on Wednesday features panel appearances from FanDuel CEO Amy Howe, as well as prominent furniture owner Jim McIngvale, more commonly known as “Mattress Mack.”
Howe will discuss the involvement of women in the gambling industry, along with FanDuel’s plans for the near future. McIngvale, who has gained a following for his proclivity for placing seven-figure futures bets, will kick off Wednesday’s schedule with a discussion on his hedging strategies.
Other top panels on Wednesday’s agenda:Β
- SBC Leaders panel – Wave 2.0 – U.S. sports betting innovation
- Transformational technology – from the Metaverse to the blockchain
- In conversation: protecting athlete well-being – navigating the modern integrity landscape
- Understanding market entry and compliance
- SBC Leaders – Converging worlds of iGaming and sports betting
Thursday, July 14
The Open Championship returns to St. Andrews for 150th rendition
When St. Andrews last hosted The British Open in 2015, Jordan Spieth arrived at the historic course with a shot to win a third consecutive major. Spieth nearly accomplished the rare feat, finishing one shot back. This week, Spieth returns to St. Andrews as the co-fourth choice at SuperBook Sports to win the year’s final major.
Rory McIlroy, the definitive favorite at the SuperBook, has not won The Open since 2014, when he defeated Rickie Fowler and Sergio Garcia by two shots for the claret jug. McIlroy has odds of 10/1 to win the tournament, just ahead of second choice Xander Schauffele at 14/1. Schauffele has been scorching hot over the last month, with victories at the Genesis Scottish Open on Sunday and the Travelers Championship in June, along with a win at the JP McManus Pro-Am, an unofficial event on the European Tour.
In 2004 the father of Professional Golfer Rory McIlroy placed a Β£200 ($341) bet, at 500-1 odds, his son would win the British Open within the next 10 years when his son was just 15 years old. In 2014 McIlroy won the tournament earning his… https://t.co/wNHwsgqDwG
— Learnt Today That (@LearntTodayThat) September 20, 2020
The British Open, the oldest major in golf, will celebrate its 150th rendition this week. Tiger Woods, who won the 2000 British Open at St. Andrews, is a considerable longshot at 100/1. Collin Morikawa, the defending British Open champion, has odds of 25/1 to win the jug for the second consecutive year.
Bastille Day climb at the Tour De France
The Tour De France will celebrate Bastille Day with Stage 12, a 166-kilometer ride from Briancon to Alpe D’Huez. A ski resort in southeastern France, Alpe D’Huez has produced some of the most iconic climbs in the history of the event. Riders on Thursday will traverse the same course used in the 1986 Tour De France at Alpe D’Huez. As of Monday, Tadej PogaΔar maintained a 59-second lead over Slovenian countryman PrimoΕΎ RogliΔ.
In the curves of the Alpe dβHuez, Tour de France fans are already waiting for theΒ riders https://t.co/ua8OSg4IhV
— how dear (@howdear3) July 11, 2022
PogaΔar, the two-time defending Tour champion, has odds of -220 at FanDuel to complete a three-peat. FanDuel is also offering a prop on the “King of the Mountains” champion, which recognizes the rider who finishes with the best performance over a series of climbs during the three-week tour. PogaΔar, the King of the Mountains winner in each of the last two years, has odds of +300 to win again, while French cyclist Thibault Pinot is the slight favorite at +250.
Saratoga summer meet begins
On Thursday, Saratoga Race Track begins its prestigious summer meet, which will feature 77 stakes races worth $22.6 million in total purses. Known colloquially as the “Midsummer Derby,” the Runhappy Travers Stakes typically ranks as the marquee event of the meet. Kentucky Derby winner Rich Strike, Preakness winner Early Voting, and Woody Stephens Stakes winner Jack Christopher could square off in the Travers.
Top races at the Saratoga meet:
- Grade I, $500,000 Diana Stakes, July 16
- Grade I, $500,000 Coaching Club American Oaks, July 23
- Grade I, $350,000 Alfred G. Vanderbilt Handicap, July 30
- Grade II, $600,000 Jim Dandy Stakes, July 30
- Grade I, $1 million Whitney Handicap, August 6
- Grade I, $600,000, Alabama Stakes, August 20
- Grade I, $1.25 million Travers Stakes, August 27
- Grade I, $1.25 million Jockey Club Gold Cup, Sept. 3
