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.
Monday, August 29
U.S. Open action begins
Opening serves of the final Grand Slam tennis tournament of 2022 were scheduled for Monday morning in New York, and notable seeds slated for action on the first day included defending men’s champ and top seed (in the absence of unvaccinated Novak Djokovic) Daniil Medvedev (+230 to win the tournament at FanDuel Sportsbook) and top American male Taylor Fritz (+1900 at FanDuel). But the center of attention is a meeting of unseeded women scheduled for 7 p.m. in Arthur Ashe Stadium: retiring sentimental favorite Serena Williams vs. Danka Kovinic of Montenegro. As of Monday morning, FanDuel had Serena at -365 to get past Kovinic and +4800 to claim her 24th Grand Slam singles title.
Can the legend make one final run? @chaseakiddy analyzes Serena Williams' odds for the upcoming US Open 🎾https://t.co/HLHZiMw3mM
— BetMGM 🦁 (@BetMGM) August 20, 2022
Wednesday, August 31
Dodgers vs. Mets! Anderson vs. deGrom!
The U.S. Open isn’t the only big sporting event in Queens this week, as the L.A. Dodgers come to Citi Field for a three-game set against the Mets that may just be a preview of the NLCS. DraftKings has the Dodgers at +165 to represent the NL in the World Series and the Mets not far behind at +265. (The Atlanta Braves are +425, and nobody else is shorter than 11/1.) The marquee pitching matchup of the Tuesday-Thursday series comes Wednesday, with L.A. lefty Tyler Anderson squaring off against two-time Cy Young winner Jacob deGrom.
Meanwhile, in the AL, the most impactful series of the week also runs Tuesday-Thursday, with the Baltimore Orioles heading to Cleveland to take on the Guardians. Both teams — the latter a mildly surprising division leader, the former a truly shocking wild card contender — are scrapping hard to make the postseason.
TransUnion mobile betting study released
Consumer credit reporting agency TransUnion is scheduled to release new research regarding financial particulars of mobile sports bettors. Among the data teased before the official release: The study found that 54% of online bettors earn $100,000 a year or more, but 79% of mobile gamblers are concerned about their ability to pay current bills and loans.
Thursday, September 1
There’s no place like Kansas
First, Kansas beat neighbor Missouri in the race to legalize sports betting. Now, the Sunflower State is poised, barring last-minute hiccups, to become the second-fastest state to go from legal to live when it launches on the first day of September. It will be just 112 days after Gov. Laura Kelly signed the bill legalizing retail and mobile wagering.
Of the nine mobile operators with market access, six will be ready to go live on Sept. 1, the Kansas Lottery announced. The switch is expected to be flipped at noon CT. Keep a tab open to Sports Handle for updated coverage throughout the day.
Engines, start 'em in Kansas.
Expect Barstool Sportsbook, DraftKings, and FanDuel to be among those launching digital and in-person wagering.https://t.co/dwlE3kR8Uq
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) August 18, 2022
Friday, September 2
LIV Golf invades Boston
The controversial alternative golf tour that’s wooing top players away from the PGA with fistfuls of dollars comes to The International in Bolton, Massachusetts, from Friday through Sunday. The likes of Phil Mickelson, Bryson DeChambeau, and Dustin Johnson are expected to compete at the course just outside Boston. Can you bet on it? That depends on which state you live in. Attendees at the event won’t be able to wager legally via their phones, as Massachusetts is still several months away from launching sports betting.
Saturday, September 3
Buckeyes vs. Irish headlines college football Week 1
The college football season began Saturday, but there were no top-25 teams in action during “Week 0.” For the elite teams, the season starts this week. And there’s no doubt what game gets top billing on Saturday: No. 5 Notre Dame at No. 2 Ohio State, with ABC televising. Even against a formidable foe, the Buckeyes are 17.5-point favorites at BetMGM, and Fighting Irish believers can get +525 on Notre Dame on the moneyline. The over/under is 58.5.
In an afternoon game, No. 3 Georgia is favored by the same 17.5-point margin at home against No. 11 Oregon. And in a contest of particular interest to a few gamblers who bet big money on Utah State to win the national title at 1,000/1 odds, that unranked squad visits No. 1 Alabama on Saturday night as a 41.5-point ‘dog.
Sunday, September 4
The rare Sunday boxing pay-per-view
Sneaking one in before the NFL season kicks off, FOX offers up, on pay-per-view, a meeting of veteran heavyweight contenders Andy Ruiz (best known for upsetting Anthony Joshua at Madison Square Garden in 2019) and Luis “King Kong” Ortiz (best known for a pair of competitive KO losses to Deontay Wilder). Does this fight belong on pay-per-view? Probably not, even on an otherwise light sports Sunday during a holiday weekend. Could it be a fun scrap? Absolutely. FOX Bet tabs Ruiz as a -345 favorite and Ortiz a +230 underdog, with a +150 payout for bettors who think the fight will last the full 12 rounds.
