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, July 25
Saquon expected to sit out as veterans report
After rookies reported to NFL training camp last week, veterans for more than a dozen teams are scheduled to report to camp on Tuesday. When the New York Giants’ veterans report, Pro Bowl running back Saquon Barkley is expected to be absent. Barkley may miss the entirety of training camp amid a contract dispute. Irked by a perceived lowball offer from the Giants, Barkley could even sit out the season — though he hinted that is unlikely. The Giants have odds of -195 at Caesars Sportsbook to miss the playoffs.
Giants' Xavier McKinney: Nobody will be mad at Saquon Barkley if he doesn't come to camp. https://t.co/khP469i7lf
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 23, 2023
Another running back threatening a lengthy holdout is Josh Jacobs of the Raiders, the NFL’s leading rusher last season. The Raiders received a bit of good news over the weekend, however, when quarterback Jimmy Garoppolo passed a physical ahead of camp and became available to practice right away. The Raiders’ season win total at Caesars is seven victories, with juice on the under at -170.
The most contentious quarterback battle of the summer might occur in the Tampa Bay Bucs’ camp, where Baker Mayfield will compete with Kyle Trask. The Bucs’ season-win total at Caesars is 6.5 victories, with odds of +120 on the over. Tampa Bay has made the playoffs in each of the last three years but has steep odds of +400 to make the postseason in its first season since 2020 without Tom Brady.
Wednesday, July 26
BetMGM 2023 first half update
Investors may receive signs of whether BetMGM will turn a profit in the final six months of 2023 when the operator holds a business update Wednesday. While BetMGM generated revenue of about $1.4 billion in fiscal year 2022, it translated to an EBITDA loss of around $440 million. As with its top competitors, BetMGM has curbed spending in an effort to move toward profitability. BetMGM may also provide an update on plans to transition to a single wallet for customers who access its app from multiple states.
In addition, investors could also learn more about Entain’s acquisition last week of Angstrom Sports, valued at approximately $265 million. From an in-game perspective, Angstrom’s technology is being compared favorably with Banach Technology, which provides a suite of in-game products for PointsBet. In terms of speed, Angstrom offers “zero latency in-play pricing.” MGM Resorts and Entain co-own BetMGM as a 50-50 joint venture.
Entain (@EntainGroup), the UK-based sports betting and gambling company, has expanded its presence in the US by acquiring sports modeling, forecasting, and data analytics firm Angstrom Sports in a deal worth up to £203 million.#sportsbetting #sportsbiz https://t.co/sZeAtePYDt
— Sportcal (@sportcal) July 17, 2023
U.S. takes on Netherlands in World Cup Finals rematch
Sophia Smith had two goals in Friday’s 3-0 win by the U.S. over Vietnam, providing signs that she might become the breakout star of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup. Smith and the U.S. on Wednesday will face the Netherlands, the same team the U.S. defeated 2-0 in the 2019 finals. The Netherlands squeaked by Portugal 1-0 on Sunday.
At PointsBet, the U.S. has odds of -140 to defeat the Dutch (+400), with odds of +260 on a draw. Both teams have made considerable roster changes over the last four years since their title match.
🗣️ "It was no surprise to see the sublime Sophia Smith take centre stage"
📈 Smith is the best rated player at the #FIFAWWC so far, but @RichJLaverty believes there is room for improvement from both the USA and fellow pre-tournament favourites England 👇
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) July 23, 2023
Smith, 22, is the second-youngest player in U.S. women’s national team history to net multiple goals in a World Cup match. She is the +310 favorite at FanDuel to win the Golden Boot, an award given to the player with the most goals in the tournament.
Alex Morgan, Smith’s teammate, is the second choice at +500, followed by Rachel Daly of England and Esther Gonzalez of Spain, both at +1400. While the U.S. is the favorite to win the World Cup at +240, there is a considerable amount of money on Spain (+320). Spain boasts a potent attack with Gonzalez and Alexia Putellas, twice chosen as FIFA Player of the Year.
Thursday, July 27
NCPG 2023 National Conference begins
A contingent of government officials, health care researchers, and problem gambling experts will converge in the nation’s capital for the National Council on Problem Gambling’s National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling 2023. Now in its 37th year, the conference ranks annually as one of the world’s largest gatherings on initiatives to combat problem gambling.
As was the case with previous incarnations, sports betting will play an integral role in this week’s event. Stakeholders from two Midwestern states — Ohio and Illinois — will hold presentations on problem gambling trends among sports bettors in their respective states. A separate panel will also delve into efforts to spot markers of harm among new sports bettors. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck, one of the nation’s most prominent gaming regulators, will appear on the panel.
Maryland regulators may review tout audit rules
When the Maryland Lottery and Gaming Control Commission meets on Thursday, the agency convenes for one of the last times before the NFL’s Baltimore Ravens open their 2023 schedule. There is a strong likelihood that the Maryland Lottery will vote on a rule Thursday that will give the agency the ability to license third parties to evaluate touts and handicappers. Maryland lawmakers in April approved a law designed to place closer scrutiny on nefarious actors in the sports tout industry.
Saturday, July 29
Forte looks for return to winner’s circle in Jim Dandy
Despite a 10-week layoff, Kentucky Derby favorite Forte finished second to Arcangelo in last month’s Belmont Stakes. Forte, last year’s Eclipse Award winner for 2-year-old Horse of the Year, scratched on the morning of the Derby with a foot injury. On Saturday, Forte will enter as the prohibitive favorite for the Jim Dandy Stakes, a key tune-up for next month’s $1.25 Travers Stakes. Forte could face a pair of Triple Crown entrants in Angel of Empire and Hit Show in the Jim Dandy.
· Forte adds blinkers for final G2 Jim Dandy tune up
· Hit Show, Angel of Empire breeze in company for G2 Jim Dandy
· Appleby trainees Rebel’s Romance and Mysterious Night arrive for Spa turf stakes
…& more! ⤵️https://t.co/Hl7yVXmuU1— NYRA (🎪) (@TheNYRA) July 22, 2023
Crawford slight favorite over Spence in prominent bout
Over the past few years, Terence Crawford has been considered among the world’s top pound-for-pound boxers, namely for his IQ in the ring and his ability to counterpunch. On Saturday night, the undefeated Crawford will face one of the toughest tests of his career when he takes on Errol Spence Jr. in a welterweight title unification.
Crawford, who enters with a 39-0-0 mark, has moneyline odds of -150 at DraftKings to defeat Spence (+120). While Crawford has won 30 of 39 professional bouts by knockouts, there are odds of -215 for the fight to go the distance. Conversely, there are odds of +175 on Crawford to to win by a decision or a technical decision. Nicknamed “The Truth,” Spence is 28-0-0, with 22 knockouts. There are odds of +1400 for a draw on Saturday in Las Vegas.
The fight could determine the first undisputed welterweight champion in the four-belt era.
Less than a week to go until Crawford Spence, can't wait. A massive fight, years in the making. Used to always see a Crawford UD decision after a still very close fight but depending how Spence approaches this and if he puts it on Crawford early, who knows! https://t.co/HsVTctcTEv
— Craig (@TonicMcWinerson) July 24, 2023
