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, November 2
Bucs favored by double digits over Giants on MNF
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers can remain in first place in the NFC South with a win over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Already favored by double digits, the Bucs moved to 12.5 point favorites on Friday after the Giants placed starting guard Will Hernandez on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. On Thursday, the Giants held out several linemen who had been in close contact with Hernandez. If you think the Bucs will win in a blowout (and the Giants manage to score a few points), a 4-team parlay at FanDuel will pay odds of +782.
Four-team same game parlay — $10 bet to win $78
- Bucs -20.5 points (+230)
- Over 45 points (-110)
- Total Bucs points: Over 29.5 points (-108)
- Mike Evans: Anytime TD scorer (+120)
Tuesday, November 3
Sports betting on ballot in Maryland, Louisiana, elsewhere
Voters in Maryland will decide on Question 2, a referendum that gives them the option of approving an expansion of commercial gaming for wagering on sports events. If approved, the onus of authorizing sports betting will then go to the Maryland General Assembly, which is set to reconvene in January. A recent poll showed that about 60% of Maryland voters intend to select “Yes.” While all mail-in ballots must be postmarked no later than Nov. 3, properly submitted ballots will be accepted until Nov. 13, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. In Louisiana, all 64 parishes are voting individually on a measure to authorize sports wagering. There are also initiatives in Nebraska and South Dakota with sports betting implications.
Biden maintains decisive lead on election-betting markets
On the eve of Election Day, former Vice President Joe Biden remains a heavy favorite to defeat incumbent Donald Trump in the 2020 U.S Presidential Election. At Smarkets, Biden had a 67.1% probability to win the election, as of Nov. 1, in comparison with a 33.8% probability for Trump. Despite Biden’s considerable lead in the polls, roughly twice as many bettors at Smarkets are backing Trump compared to Biden. “With 60% of the money in our “Next President” market going on Trump, and more than double the number of users backing him compared to Biden, there is a clear view from the majority of users that the president could cause an upset. However, the average amount a user bets on Biden is double the amount placed on Trump, suggesting those who are backing the former VP to win are more confident than those taking a chance on Trump,” Smarkets Head of Political Markets Sarbjit Bakhshi said in a statement.
For some bettors, a good chunk of change could be riding on the election.
"Funds would place wagers at licensed betting platforms in the U.K…. Susquehanna’s Dublin affiliate could then step in, essentially acting as a behind-the-scenes market maker for the bets."
Susquehanna Will Take Your Election Bets, Up to $100 Million https://t.co/eBJQGh6tOV
— Alfonso Straffon 🇨🇷🇺🇸🇲🇽 (@astraffon) November 2, 2020
We're now a day away from Election Day, which means:
1. The forecast is totally polls-based. Any advantage it gave Trump for the economy or for being an incumbent is no longer factored in
2. The model is no longer pricing in potential for a lot of movementhttps://t.co/rlQzbIOP50— FiveThirtyEight (@FiveThirtyEight) November 2, 2020
Thursday, November 5
Barstool retail sportsbook launch in Colorado
Following its September debut in Pennsylvania, Barstool Sports will launch a retail sportsbook at Colorado‘s Ameristar Black Hawk casino on Thursday. The rebranded sportsbook will include a 24-foot video wall, more than a dozen sports betting kiosks, and nearly 30 HDTVs. Penn National Gaming does not expect to roll out a Barstool mobile sports platform in Colorado until 2021 at the earliest.
We will be opening the @BSSportsbook on November 5th! #BarstoolSportsbook pic.twitter.com/SxshuSzo4X
— Ameristar Black Hawk (@AmeristarBH) October 26, 2020
NFC Championship rematch on Thursday Night Football
In last January’s NFC Championship, the 49ers ran roughshod over the Packers compiling 285 yards on the ground, along with four touchdowns. San Francisco, however, will be without running back Raheem Mostert (high ankle sprain) for another week. Mostert rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in last season’s win. The 49ers must contain Packers wideout Davante Adams on Thursday night in Santa Clara. Over his last two games, Adams has 20 receptions and five touchdowns.
Friday, November 6
Breeders’ Cup kicks off with Future Stars Friday
The opening day of the Breeders’ Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course is highlighted by a duel between Jackie’s Warrior and Essential Quality in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. Jackie’s Warrior, the 2-year old son of Maclean’s Music, looks to become the first horse in more than three decades to sweep the Juvenile, the Hopeful, the Champagne Stakes and the Saratoga Special in the same season. Jackie’s Warrior will be challenged by the Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality, the unbeaten winner of last month’s Claiborne Breeders Futurity on the same track at Keeneland. Jackie’s Warrior will be racing at two turns for the first time, while Essential Quality already has experience around two turns. Princess Noor is the decisive favorite in the $2 Million Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Horse of the Year honors on the line in Breeders’ Cup Classic
Not since 2004 has a field for the $6 million Classic possessed as much talent and depth. With victories over Maximum Security, Tom’s D’etat and By My Standards in 2020, Improbable will enter Saturday’s Classic as the likely favorite. Besides Improbable, trainer Bob Baffert has two other shots to win the Classic in Maximum Security and Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. Belmont Stakes winner Tiz The Law makes his first start since a narrow defeat to Authentic in the Run For The Roses. Tiz The Law entered the Derby with an outside shot of capturing the Triple Crown. Three others, By My Standards, Global Campaign and Tacitus, are accomplished older horses that will likely go off at double-digit odds. On the undercard, several horses, Monomoy Girl (Distaff), Magical (Turf) and Vekoma (Sprint), are potential singles in Pick 4, Pick 5 and Pick 6 offerings.
Positive reactions from Trainer Bob Baffert on IMPROBABLE'S final work for the @BreedersCup Classic this morning @SantaAnitaPark saying to @ChristinaBlackr that he expects he'll run a huge race on Saturday @KeenelandRacing!
Breakfast at #BC20 this week on TVG!@WinStarFarm pic.twitter.com/QYIHYOcyf0
— TVG (@TVG) November 1, 2020
Top-ranked Clemson heads to South Bend without Heisman frontrunner Lawrence
Clemson overcame a 15-point halftime deficit on Saturday to defeat Boston College 34-28. Following the win over the Eagles, Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney announced that quarterback Trevor Lawrence will miss the Top 5 showdown against Notre Dame while recovering from COVID-19. Even without Lawrence, Clemson has opened at Circa Sports as a 5-point favorite over the Irish. No. 4 Notre Dame enters the matchup on the heels of a 31-13 victory over Georgia Tech. The Irish defense has allowed just 23 points combined over its last three wins. D.J. Uiagalelei, who replaced Lawrence against Boston College, went 30-of-41 for 342 yards and two touchdowns in the win over the Eagles.
