Each Monday, our “What’s On Tap,” series will preview 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, October 26
Rams favored over Bears on Monday Night Football
The Los Angeles Rams can improve to 5-2 with a victory over the Chicago Bears on Monday night. With the win, the Rams will remain undefeated at their new home, SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, Calif. The Rams are six-point favorites on the Vegas consensus line, down from 7.5 on the opening line. The Bears, meanwhile, enter the matchup 3-0 on the road in 2020. The winner will gain a valuable tiebreaker in the NFC Wild Card race.
The Bears offensive line will have its hands full with the Rams' Aaron Donald, a two-time NFL Defensive Player of the Year.
And safety Eddie Jackson can't catch a break.
A snapshot look at the Week 7 game on "Monday Night Football."https://t.co/nLZKd4rwjF
— Chicago Tribune Sports (@ChicagoSports) October 25, 2020
Tuesday, October 27
G2E kicks off with Cortez Masto keynote address
The Global Gaming Expo, a three-day virtual conference, begins on Tuesday with a keynote session featuring Nevada Senator Catherine Cortez Masto, a Democrat. Cortez Masto, a first-term senator, has co-sponsored federal legislation that aims to provide relief to the casino industry. The hourlong discussion will focus on the gaming industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The session will be moderated by American Gaming Association President Bill Miller.
Dodgers near World Series title
The Dodgers withstood another Rays’ rally on Sunday to take a 3-2 lead in the 2020 World Series. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw scattered two runs and five hits for his second win of the Fall Classic.
The Dodgers came one strike away on Saturday night from taking a commanding 3-1 World Series lead, before chaos ensued in the bottom of the ninth. Catcher Will Smith dropped a relay throw from Max Muncy allowing Rays outfielder Randy Arozarena to score the winning run.
"One strike from taking a seemingly insurmountable three-games-to-one lead against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday night, Kenley Jansen blew it, Chris Taylor botched it, Will Smith muffed it, and the Dodgers completely lost it," writes @BillPlaschke https://t.co/piCxhrONws
— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) October 25, 2020
On Tuesday night, the Dodgers can capture the World Series for the first time since 1988. The Dodgers have won the National League pennant in three of the last four years. At BetMGM, the Dodgers are -556 favorites to win the World Series over the Rays (+400).
Wednesday, October 27
Robins highlights Day 2 of G2E
DraftKings CEO Jason Robins will join two other prominent executives for a discussion on the future of gaming. DraftKings‘ shares have been on an upward trajectory in recent months since the company’s public debut in late-April. Earlier this month, DraftKings said it projects unaudited third-quarter revenue of between $131 million and $133 million on a U.S. GAAP basis. The projection estimates represent an increase of 41% on a year-over-year basis. The panel will be moderated by Contessa Brewer of CNBC.
Thursday, October 29
Penn National third-quarter earnings
Investors will learn more about the growth of the Barstool Sports’ mobile sports betting app during Penn National Gaming’s third-quarter earnings conference call on Thursday morning. In September, alone, PENN shares soared more than 40% amid the highly-anticipated debut of the Barstool app. Although Barstool did not officially launch in Pennsylvania until Sept. 18, the operator comprised 7.2% of the state’s online sports betting handle on the month. Last month, Penn National projected third-quarter consolidated revenue of $1.04 million to $1.15 million, along with Adjusted EBITDAR (Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and restructuring or rent costs) of $410 million to $450 million. While Penn National currently owns a 36% stake in Barstool, the gaming operator can increase its position to up to 50% within three years. The Barstool app is expected to be live in about a dozen states by the end of the year.
IGB special meeting
The Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) is scheduled to conduct a special meeting on Thursday morning. Earlier this month, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker renewed Executive Order 2020-41, an order that suspends an in-person registration requirement for online sports betting accounts and allows for remote registration. It marked the fourth time Pritzker extended the order since June. The order remains in place through Nov. 14. IGB meeting agendas are typically posted on the board’s website 48 hours prior to a scheduled meeting.
Circa Sportsbook grand opening
At one minute past Midnight on Wednesday, Circa Resort & Casino in Downtown Las Vegas, will unveil a three-story stadium-style sportsbook billed as the largest retail sportsbook in the world. The sportsbook features a 123-foot screen designed by South Dakota-based Daktronics, a company that has manufactured the majority of LED video screens for venues throughout the NFL. With the launch of the massive sportsbook, Circa plans to engage in a friendly rivalry with the Westgate Superbook for the sports bettor’s dollar in Vegas.
how it started: how it’s going: pic.twitter.com/GzPwyWiY8X
— Jeffrey Benson (@JeffreyBenson12) October 9, 2020
Sunday, November 1
Chiefs open as massive favorites over winless Jets
The Jets dropped to 0-7 Sunday with an 18-10 defeat to the Bills. Don’t expect the Jets to break their streak of futility when they take on the defending Super Bowl champion Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium. The Chiefs, which improved to 6-1 with a 43-16 win over the Broncos, open at FanDuel as a 20.5 point favorite. The Peyton Manning-led Broncos were 28-point favorites in an October 2013 win over the Jaguars, the largest point spread in NFL history. Kansas City is also a -2200 favorite on the moneyline.
Number of the Week: Big Ten Champions — Indiana 50/1, DraftKings
The Hoosiers moved into The Associated Press college football poll Sunday, one day after pulling a stunning upset over then No. 8 Penn State. Indiana’s shocking 36-35 victory over the Nittany Lions vaulted the Hoosiers to No. 17 in this week’s AP Poll, tying the program for its highest ranking since 1993. Indiana now has 50/1 odds at DraftKings to win the Big Ten, seventh-best in the league. Indiana opened the season as 150/1 longshots to win the conference. The Hoosiers are 13-point favorites this week at Rutgers.
New on Sports Illustrated: Indiana Jumps Into AP Top 25 Poll at No. 17, Ohio State Moves to No. 3 https://t.co/tV96sQB3u0
Indiana jumped into the AP college football poll after pulling off the weekend’s most dramatic upset and Ohio State moved up to No. 3 following a dominant …
— Hasselle Williams (@MyPhasselle) October 25, 2020
