Each Monday, our “What’s on Tap” 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. Also, check out our weekly review Get a Grip and Wide World of Gambling at US Bets for a look back at last week’s relevant news.
Tuesday, July 27
Ledecky looks to bounce back in 1,500-meter freestyle
In her first final at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, U.S. swimmer Katie Ledecky suffered a bitter defeat in Sunday’s 400-meter freestyle final when Australia swimmer Ariarne Titmus rallied for a thrilling victory. Ledecky finished in 3:57.36, producing the second-fastest time of her illustrious career. Titus won the race in 3:56.69, finishing less than three-tenths of a second from Ledecky’s world-record time. The two times rank as the second and fourth-fastest performances by female swimmers in the 400 ever.
Ledecky doesn’t have much time, however, to lament the loss. She has odds of -550 at FanDuel to win Tuesday night’s 1,500-meter freestyle final, far ahead of second choice Simona Quadarella (+650) of Italy. In 2018, Ledecky swam a career-best 15:20.48 in the 1,500, beating her old world record in the event. Ledecky will compete Thursday in the 800-meter freestyle, an event she has not lost in nine years. Prior to the Olympics, PointsBet offered a boosted bet on the number of individual gold medals Ledecky would win in Tokyo. PointsBet boosted the odds to +230 (from +200) on the over of 2.5 golds. Ledecky also plans to compete in the 200-meter freestyle.
It doesn't get more thrilling than that final stretch between Katie Ledecky and Ariarne Titmus. https://t.co/pAu47w5pzq
— #TokyoOlympics (@NBCOlympics) July 26, 2021
Wednesday, July 28
Must win for USA men’s hoops after stunning loss to France
France shocked Team USA Sunday in a men’s basketball Group A opener, ending the Americans’ 25-game winning streak at the Olympics. Trailing late in the fourth quarter, France closed with a 16-2 run for an 83-76 victory. The U.S. entered the game as consensus 12-point favorites over the French. Despite the loss, Team USA still remains an overwhelming -225 favorite to win gold at DraftKings, far ahead of Australia (+650), Spain (+800), and France (+1000). Still, if Team USA wants to advance to the medal round, the Americans likely need to defeat Iran Wednesday. They are favored by 39.5 points.
US men’s basketball team odds to win gold at @betmgm:
Open: -1000
After Nigeria L: -800
After Australia L: -600
After France Olympic Game L: -250https://t.co/VsCpn6umaU— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 25, 2021
Washington Gaming Commission special meeting
Stakeholders could learn more about the launch of sports betting in the state of Washington when the Washington Gambling Commission holds a special meeting Wednesday. The agenda includes an item on sports wagering rules that need to be completed before the state begins the new gambling rollout. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee signed 15 tribal compacts this month, initiating a process for a host of tribal casinos to eventually accept sports wagers. The compacts still require approval from the U.S. Department of Interior. Several tribes hope to begin offering sports bets by the start of the NFL season. The commission unanimously approved an initial set of draft sports wagering rules in June. Once the rules are approved, there is a 31-day waiting period in Washington before they go into effect.
Rodgers Watch continues as Packers open training camp
NFL bettors will monitor developments in Wisconsin closely as the Green Bay Packers open training camp Wednesday. Last week, SuperBook Sports took several Packers futures off the board after a source informed SuperBook Vice President Jay Kornegay of Aaron Rodgers’ intention to enter retirement. Several other books followed suit by pulling odds on the Packers to win the NFC North.
Rodgers, the reigning NFL MVP, has been embroiled in a bitter dispute with team management over the last several months. At FOX Bet, the Broncos emerged this month as the favorite to land Rodgers if the star quarterback decides to leave Green Bay. Rodgers still remains on the board on several markets. As of Monday morning, PointsBet gave Rodgers odds of 14/1 to win 2021 NFL Most Valuable Player, behind Patrick Mahomes (+450), Josh Allen (+1100), and Tom Brady (+1200).
Multiple sportsbooks believe Aaron Rodgers will retire next week, per @ProFootballTalk pic.twitter.com/iCvOwN6vTU
— PFF (@PFF) July 24, 2021
Thursday, July 29
Cunningham a virtual lock for top pick at NBA Draft
Last month, the Detroit Pistons received the No. 1 overall pick in Thursday night’s draft by winning the NBA Draft Lottery for the first time in franchise history. The Pistons are widely expected to draft Oklahoma State point guard Cade Cunningham. At BetMGM, Cunningham has odds of -5000 to be selected with the top pick (meaning you need to wager $50 to win $1).
There is more intrigue with the No. 2 pick, where Jalen Green has odds of -200 to be selected. Green, who played last season for the NBA G-League Select Team, is favored over Southern Cal forward Evan Mobley (+225), Gonzaga guard Jalen Suggs (+650), and Florida State forward Scottie Barnes (+2500). After leading his team to a Big Ten tournament title in March, Illinois guard Ayo Dosunmu won the Bob Cousy Award, an honor given each year to the nation’s top point guard. Dosunmu, a consensus first-team All-American, then bypassed his senior year to enter the Draft. But the Fighting Illini guard is not expected to be a lottery pick on Thursday night. There are odds of 14/1 on Dosunmu to be taken in the Top 10.
Ayo Dosunmu averaged 20 points per game for @IlliniMBB and can defend multiple positions.
Would he be a fit with the @utahjazz in next week's NBA draft?#TakeNote #NBADraft https://t.co/fWlByrlc20
— Ben Anderson (@BensHoops) July 19, 2021
Saturday, July 31
Bromell heavy favorite in men’s 100-meter finals
With Usain Bolt now retired, U.S. sprinter Trayvon Bromell appears ready to inherit the title of “fastest man in the world.” Bromell, 26, ran the fastest time of the year in June’s NACAC New Life Invitational when he was clocked in 9.77 seconds. Bromell followed it up with a 9.80 in the U.S. Olympic Trials, defeating a talented field that included Ronnie Baker and Fred Kerley. Bromell has odds of -118 to win gold at BetRivers, ahead of Baker (+500) and Canada sprinter Andre De Grasse (+1000). Jamaican sprinter Yohan Blake is considered a longshot at 33/1. Blake won silver in the 100 at the 2012 London Olympics and a gold in the 400-meter relay four years later in Rio, but is on the downside of his career.
Sunday, August 1
Depleted field for men’s golf tourney at the Olympics
While the final round of the men’s golf tournament is scheduled to begin late Saturday, the gold medalist will not be crowned until the wee hours of Sunday morning for East Coast viewers. The field took a hit over the weekend when reports surfaced that Bryson DeChambeau and Jon Rahm were forced to withdraw due to positive COVID-19 tests. As a result, British Open champion Collin Morikawa (+650) emerged as the favorite at DraftKings to win gold, just ahead of Xander Schauffele (+800) and Justin Thomas (+1100). Masters champion Hideki Matsuyama (+1200) has experience at Kasumigaseki Country Club, where he won the 2009 Japan Junior Championship. But Matsuyama will face immense pressure to capture gold on home soil. He also has odds of +230 to record a Top 5 finish.
