Each week, 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,” for a look back at last week’s notable news.
Tuesday, August 29
Alcaraz begins U.S. Open title defense
Carlos Alcaraz swept through the U.S. Open last year with impeccable defense and uncanny shot-making in capturing the first major of his young career. Since then, Alcaraz has added a title at Wimbledon in an epic five-set win over seven-time champion Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz begins his title defense on Tuesday with a first-round match against Dominik Koepfer of Germany. Alcaraz, the tournament’s top seed, has odds of +185 at FanDuel to successfully defend his title. The 20-year-old Spaniard is the second choice behind Djokovic (+110), who is seeking his first U.S. Open crown since 2018. No other player in the draw has odds below +1000 to win the title.
Also on Tuesday, Venus Williams will face qualifier Greet Minnen of Belgium in the opening round of the women’s tournament. Williams will make her record-extending 24th appearance in the singles draw. Williams has odds of +114 to knock off Minnen.
Jessica Pegula, the No. 3 seed, will face Camila Giorgi in her first singles’ match of the tournament. Pegula (+900 to win the tournament) is the co-fourth choice at FanDuel with Elena Rybakina. Defending champion Iga Swiatek is the favorite at +230, followed by Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, who have odds of +460 and +650, respectively.
Tuesday, August 29
NFL teams face deadline for 53-man rosters
For most players on the bubble, the final hours before Tuesday’s NFL roster deadline will be the most stressful period of the summer. But in Indianapolis, the Colts have dual concerns. The team has set a Tuesday deadline for Pro Bowl running back Jonathan Taylor to find a trade partner. Taylor, the league’s leading rusher two years ago, has held out for the majority of training camp amid a contract dispute.
Last week, the Colts reportedly declined a 2024 second-round and seventh-round pick from the Miami Dolphins for Taylor. At DraftKings, the Dolphins have a season-win total of 9.5 victories, with juice of -120 on the under. A marquee trade involving Taylor will likely alter the team’s futures odds considerably. In total, six teams have reportedly shown interest in acquiring the back, with the Bears, Rams, and Ravens potentially in the mix.
Arizona regulators may reveal license applicants
At Tuesday’s meeting, the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) may announce qualifiers for the state’s three additional sports betting event wagering licenses. The ADG plans to award licenses for two skins tied to Arizona pro sports teams, along with another tribal gaming skin that confers access to the market. A decision by Wynn Resorts to shutter WynnBET in Arizona this month frees up a skin for another bidder.
At present, Fanatics Sportsbook, Betr, and Tipico do not have sports betting market access in Arizona. Fanatics is also on the agenda at a Wyoming regulatory meeting on Thursday. There, regulators will discuss the transfer of PointsBet‘s sports betting license to the upstart sportsbook operator.
As the start of the NFL regular season nears, Fanatics executives continue to meet with state regulatory officials on the company’s sports wagering expansion plans. Following its acquisition of PointsBet’s U.S. assets, Fanatics has held discussions with regulators in New York, New Jersey, and Colorado, among other major states.
Fanatics could be one of the beneficiaries of Wynn Resorts’ decision to shut down its WynnBET site in at least eight states, as the departure frees up a potential license in a state like Arizona. (@GaryRotstein) https://t.co/LNmo9ufMK1
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) August 18, 2023
If the ADG only received three licensing applicants, the department could reveal all three at the meeting. If the department received more than three, an announcement on the successful bidders could be made later next month.
Thursday, August 31
Deadline for response in Florida DOI case
There is a strong likelihood that the Seminole Tribe of Florida will not be able to launch mobile sports wagering through Hard Rock Bet ahead of the Dolphins’ regular-season opener.
Earlier this month, West Flagler and Associates petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit for an en banc hearing, a matter that could determine the immediate direction of online sports betting in the state. It came nearly two months after an appellate panel ruled 3-0 to overturn a U.S. District Court decision that previously would have granted the Seminoles a near monopoly on mobile sports wagering throughout Florida.
Although the DOI has until Thursday to file a response, a decision could be issued at the beginning of this week. West Flagler requested that all 11 judges on the panel hear the matter. Historically, those requests are “rarely granted,” according to the circuit’s handbook.
Sunday, Sept. 3
Heisman candidates face off in Orlando
Last September, Florida State blocked a field goal with no time left to edge LSU 24-23 in the Allstate Louisiana Kickoff. The blocked kick rewarded a stellar performance by Seminoles quarterback Jordan Travis, who finished with 291 all-purpose yards in the upset victory. Travis returns for Sunday’s rematch, the only matchup between a pair of Top 10 teams on the weekly slate.
#H13SMAN talk on College GameDay Tailgate on XM:
"Jordan Travis to me is a very good option. He fits the profile of a Heisman winning QB kind of a year before they win, in my opinion. With the hype and the physical talent… the season that he's capable of having." pic.twitter.com/96QOpa4knc
— Fifth Quarter 🍢FSU 🍢 (@fifthquarterfsu) August 26, 2023
Travis will take on Jayden Daniels and the Tigers in the Camping World Kickoff in Orlando. The two quarterbacks enter the season as the co-second choice (+1100) on bet365‘s Heisman Trophy futures board.
The loser of Sunday’s matchup may be eliminated from Heisman contention with a poor performance. LSU opens as a 2.5-point favorite at Caesars Sportsbook; the total is 58.
Verstappen seeks record-breaking 10th straight win
Formula 1 star Max Verstappen won the Dutch Grand Prix on Sunday for his ninth straight victory. With the win, Verstappen tied Sebastian Vettel’s F1 mark for consecutive victories in a season.
Verstappen can break the record on Sunday in the Italian Grand Prix. He is the heavy favorite (-450) at BetMGM to take the checkered flag and break the record. Sergio Perez, Verstappen’s teammate, is the second choice at +850. The two Red Bull drivers are the only ones in the field with odds under +2000.
