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.
Monday, August 9
New York mobile sports betting deadline
Over the last month, top sportsbooks executives have worked feverishly to prepare bids for New York’s closely watched mobile sports wagering competitive bidding process. When the winners are announced around Christmas Day, the New York Gaming Commission is scheduled to award mobile sports betting licenses to a minimum of two platform providers and four operators. New York bids are due on Monday afternoon at 4 p.m. ET. Major sportsbooks such as DraftKings, FanDuel, and BetMGM are expected to submit bids by Monday’s deadline. The top books could even band together and form a “super bid,” by joining forces on the same application. Sports betting tech providers (Kambi) and tribal gaming entities (Oneida Indian Nation) are also expected to take part in the bidding process. If selected, a platform provider must pay the Commission a one-time licensing fee of $25 million.
NEW YORK:
NYS watch is on. Tracker by @MattRybaltowski shows latest on which of the top companies intend to enter a bid for taking bets in New York.https://t.co/hZHQre0aIC
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) July 29, 2021
Messi enters transfer market
Lionel Messi officially ended his Barcelona career Sunday during a tearful news conference at Camp Nou, the club’s legendary venue. Though Messi did not indicate his next club at the time, ESPN reports that the six-time FIFA World Player of the Year has agreed to a multi-year deal with Paris-Saint Germain. The news triggered significant movement on futures markets at PointsBet, where PSG became co-favorites to win the 2022 UEFA Champions League title. As of Sunday afternoon, PSG emerged as +300 co-favorites with Manchester City to capture the 2022 title. Man City opened last month as +275 favorites at several books, ahead of Bayern Munich, Chelsea, and Liverpool. PSG, the 2020 Champions League runners-up, opened around +800. Man City has also been rumored as a top candidate to land the Argentinian midfielder. In 17 seasons with Barcelona, Messi set the record for most La Liga goals ever, with 474, and most Champions League hat tricks (eight).
Tuesday, August 10
Phils look to extend NL East lead
Winners of eight straight, the Philadelphia Phillies took the National League East lead over the weekend with a four-game sweep of the New York Mets, jumping to the top of the divisional standings for the first time this season. Now Philadelphia (59-53) looks to build on the lead while hosting the mighty Los Angeles Dodgers for a key three-game series. The defending World Series champs are scheduled to roll out starting pitchers Max Scherzer, David Price, and Julio Urias in Philadelphia. On Tuesday, the Phils will counter with Aaron Nola. At FanDuel, the Phils are +145 favorites to win the division ahead of the Mets (+170) and the Braves (+190). Bryce Harper clinched Friday’s win over the Mets with a towering 450-foot home run. As Harper touched home plate, he was greeted by MVP chants from the fans at Citizens Bank Park. Harper (+400) is the second-choice to win NL MVP, behind San Diego Padres star Fernando Tatis Jr. (-110).
The Phillies own the best record in MLB since the trade deadline (8-1).
The Phillies are now favored to win the NL East (+115).
Zack Wheeler is now favored to win the NL Cy Young (+225).
What a time to be alive.
(Odds via @CaesarsSports)
— Paul Hembekides (@PaulHembo) August 9, 2021
Cunningham returns to court in Vegas Summer League
Fresh off his debut at the NBA Vegas Summer League, Detroit Pistons guard Cade Cunningham returns to the court Tuesday against the Houston Rockets. Cunningham scored 12 points in his Summer League opener on Sunday, a 76-72 loss against Oklahoma City. Detroit closed as a five-point favorite over the Thunder at BetMGM, while the rookie point guard struggled with his outside shot, finishing 5 of 17 from the floor. Cunningham, the No. 1 pick in last month’s NBA Draft, had odds as high as -8000 to be taken with the first overall selection. On Sunday, BetMGM listed the Pistons (+600) as favorites to win the Summer League tournament, ahead of the Knicks (+650), Trail Blazers (+750), Magic (+1000), and Warriors (+1600). The Pistons’ lineup includes three other youngsters — Killian Hayes, Saddiq Bey and Sekou Doumbouya — who are expected to receive considerable playing time in Detroit’s rotation once the regular season begins. A fourth, Luka Garza, received Naismith Player of the Year honors last season at Iowa. Obi Toppin and Immanuel Quickley are expected to appear in Las Vegas for the Knicks, while the Magic’s lineup boasts Cole Anthony, Jalen Suggs, and Franz Wagner. The latter two were selected in the Top 10 at this year’s draft.
Wednesday, August 11
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board meeting
The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB) will convene for a monthly meeting in Harrisburg, its last meeting before the start of the NFL regular season. Last month, the PGCB reported that overall gaming revenues from operators reached a record $3.88 billion in Fiscal Year 2020-21, topping the previous mark from 2018-19 by more than $500,000. The fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30. Within the report, sports wagering revenue came in at $308.8 million, an increase of 171.6% from the previous year. Heading into football season, Pennsylvania remains as one of the largest sports betting markets in the nation.
Saturday, August 14
Possible final Arlington Million at Arlington Racecourse
When Arlington International Racecourse missed a deadline last month to apply for racing dates for the 2022 season, it confirmed many Chicago-area horse racing fans worst fear: that the historic racetrack may be on the verge of shutting its gates for good. Built in 1927, Arlington has been put up for sale by Churchill Downs Inc. On Saturday, the track will host the Grade I Arlington Million, an event that is annually one of the most prestigious turf races in the world. In 2019, Eclipse Award Horse of the Year Bricks and Mortar captured the Million in 1:59.44, recording the race’s fastest time in nearly 25 years. The bid for the 326-acre property has garnered considerable attention over the summer, with reports surfacing that the Chicago Bears are among the bidders.
Sunday, August 15
Man City opens title defense in London
When Manchester City opens their Premier League defense on Sunday, they will travel to London for a challenging matchup against Tottenham. Man City opened as a -165 favorite at DraftKings, with Tottenham a steep underdog at +450. There are odds of +320 on the draw. Man City also has -165 odds to win the Premiership, far ahead second choice Chelsea (+500).
Other Premier League futures at DraftKings
- Liverpool — +550
- Manchester United — +750
- Tottenham — +5000
- Arsenal — +5000
- Leicester — +5000
- Everton — +10000
- Leeds — +10000
