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, May 22
Panthers seek 3-0 series lead against the Canes
Matthew Tkachuk scored at the 1:51 mark of overtime Saturday night to give the Florida Panthers a 2-0 series lead over the Carolina Hurricanes. Tkachuk’s breakaway goal off a feed from Sam Reinhart stunned the crowd in Raleigh, as Florida outlasted Carolina in an extra session for the second straight game. Tkachuk’s goal Thursday with 12.7 seconds left in the fourth overtime gave the Panthers a key road win in the opening game of the series.
The Panthers head into Monday’s Game 3 as a -115 moneyline favorite over the Canes at Caesars Sportsbook; the total is 5.5 goals. Roughly a month ago, the Panthers were on the verge of elimination after trailing the heavily favored Bruins three games to one in the best-of-seven series. Since then, Florida captured three straight against the President Cup winners and has won nine of 10.
Matthew Tkachuk is the 3rd player in NHL history to score an OT goal in each of the 1st 2 games of a playoff series and the 2nd to do it on the road. The other was Hall of Famer Maurice Richard for the Canadiens in the 1951 Semifinals. pic.twitter.com/F5IgcCoSTN
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) May 21, 2023
New York considers advertising regs
The New York State Gaming Commission on Monday will review a set of proposed regulations covering sports betting advertising. In February, the NYSGC authorized the proposal of rules to regulate advertising, marketing, and promotions in the sports wagering industry. The proposed standards prohibit companies from promoting or advertising sports wagering offers that contain false, deceptive, or misleading statements. Crackdowns on sports betting ads have been widely discussed nationally, with U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko having introduced legislation in February that would ban online and broadcast advertising of sports gambling nationwide.
Nuggets pursue first-ever trip to NBA Finals
Nearly 50 years after joining the league, the Denver Nuggets are one win away from reaching the NBA Finals for the first time in franchise history. After winning a third straight against the Lakers on Saturday night, Denver can sweep LeBron James & Co. with a win on Monday. Few predicted a sweep at the start of the series, as the Lakers entered the conference finals with impressive defeats of the Grizzlies and Warriors.
Ahead of the series, the Nuggets had odds of -155 at BetMGM to eliminate the Lakers. As of Monday, the odds moved to -3000 on Denver to advance to the finals. Nuggets guard Jamal Murray has been particularly clutch throughout the series, averaging 35 points while draining a number of high-pressure threes down the stretch. Keep an eye on Murray’s MVP odds if the Nuggets reach the finals; he held odds of 34/1 prior to the series with the Lakers.
Players to average 35/5/5 on 50+ FG% in a Conference Finals series:
— Jamal Murray
— Hakeem OlajuwonHakeem went on to win Finals MVP. pic.twitter.com/F7oN8I1CCy
— StatMuse (@statmuse) May 21, 2023
Tuesday, May 23
International gambling and risk taking conference returns to Vegas
When UNLV hosts the 18th International Conference on Gambling & Risk Taking this week, sports betting will take center stage. Multiple panels will address technological advances in sports wagering, including one on the use of artificial intelligence for improved player interaction. Another panel featuring UCLA psychiatry professor Timothy Wong will focus on the impact of sports betting on athletes. The panel is topical, considering the rash of publicity concerning college athletes over the last month. The three-day conference will be held at Park MGM on the Las Vegas Strip.
Among other panels at the conference:
- Sports Gambling in America 2023: A Final Piece to the Puzzle?
- Stake Size and Wagering in a Professional Betting Environment — When Data Affects Decision Making
- The Disposition Effect in Cash-Out Betting and Impact of Behavioral Biases
- Tribal Sports Betting: Three Models of Legalization
- The Effect of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) Policies on Sports Gambling
- Sports Betting Advertising: Waiting for the Storm that has Already Arrived
Heat look to close out Celtics
The Heat thrashed the Celtics 128-102 Sunday night in a game practically decided by halftime. Miami increased its lead to 33 in the third quarter, prompting Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla to rest his starters for most of the final stanza. The Heat, the No. 8 seed in the East, took an improbable 3-0 lead in the series. The Celtics opened the Eastern Conference Finals with odds around -550 to eliminate Miami, underscoring the stunning turn of events.
The Heat can end the series Tuesday night with a victory over the Celtics. Boston, which had been a heavy favorite on futures markets, now has odds of 12/1 to win it all. At FanDuel, a two-team parlay on the Celtics and the Lakers to win their respective series carries odds of 161/1.
Saturday, May 27
Duke, UVA favored at NCAA Lax Final Four
Top seed Duke outlasted Michigan 15-8 on Saturday to reach its 12th Final Four since 2007 in the NCAA Men’s Division I lacrosse tournament . Duke (14-2), which has scored 27 goals in two tournament games, will face Penn State in Saturday’s semifinal. Penn State defeated Army 10-9 in the quarters.
In the other semifinal, No. 2 seed Virginia will take on No. 3 Notre Dame in a matchup of two ACC teams. The Cavaliers won both regular-season matchups. Duke (+150) is the favorite to win the title at Barstool Sportsbook, ahead of the Cavs and Irish, who have odds of +175 and +250, respectively.
Sunday, May 28
Pole winner Palou bids for first Indy 500
Alex Palou captured the pole at the Indianapolis 500 with a four-lap average speed of 234.21 mph. Palou, who finished second in 2021, has odds of +800 at bet365 to win the Indy 500 for the first time in his career. The average speed for the 33-car field is 232.2 mph, topping the previous qualifying high of 231.0 mph last year.
Despite capturing the pole, Palou is not the favorite at bet365. As of Monday, he remained the second choice behind Scott Dixon, who is the definitive favorite at +550. Dixon, who won the Indy 500 in 2008, is a six-time IndyCar Series winner. Defending champion Marcus Ericsson will break from the No. 10 spot in Row 4. Ericsson is the co-ninth choice at +1900.
The run that sealed it all. 😮💨#INDYCAR // @AlexPalou pic.twitter.com/glctRCavju
— NTT INDYCAR SERIES (@IndyCar) May 21, 2023
