Maye-Be No. 1?
Probably not. But UNC's Drake Maye Favored to Go Second in NFL Draft Behind USC's Caleb Williams
Let’s be honest with each other. (Just for a second).
The sports calendar lacks a little sizzle right now.
The NBA and NHL are in the playoff-push mode, but we’re not quite there. It’s the same with NCAA basketball. Conference tournaments are close, but …
Spring training was good for a rush, but, seriously, we’re not betting on that, right?
Golf’s underway. That’s good. F1 and NASCAR, too. There’s still Champions League and FA Cup soccer. Cool.
But we’re so desperate for football that we pretend the NFL Combine is interesting. And even there, the top two projected picks in the draft are sensibly choosing not to run around and chuck footballs as if it matters.
Good for you, Caleb Williams and Drake Maye, you aforementioned projected top two picks.
A mere 55 days from the NFL Draft, the odds at most sportsbooks have coalesced around the apparent inevitability of Williams going first overall (-1600 at FanDuel) - presumably to the Chicago Bears, who currently hold the pick - and Maye second (-135), to Washington.
Maye is +1100 to go first overall.
There’s plenty of time for the NFL rumor/intelligencia to talk itself and the public - but probably not the Bears - out of Williams at No. 1, so maybe that sweat could get you to the conference tournaments next week.
AP Photos; Brant James illustration
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Tobacco Road
In 10 days, legal sports betting debuts in North Carolina. So we continue to coach up everyone from Asheville to Wilmington or even sitting atop Mount Mitchell. (If you’re there, please just enjoy the view and don’t worry about Drake Maye odds).
North Carolina Pre-Launch Offers
FanDuel - Up to $300 in Bonus Bets
BetMGM - $200 in Bonus Bets [Code: PRETODAY]
bet365 - $100 in Bonus Bets (with Deposit) [Code: GTODAYNC]
DraftKings - Up to $300 in Bonus Bets
Caesars - 7 100% Profit Boosts [Code: TODAYDBL]
» More details on North Carolina pre-launch offers here
(Good vibes to the Wooden Robot family)
F1 Returns
AP Photo
Three-time defending series champion Max Verstappen is expected to provide the grist for many Formula 1 bets beginning with the season-opener this weekend in Bahrain. Don’t expect those bets to be lucrative considering his recent domination of the series.
A sampling of markets from bet365:
Race-winner: Verstappen -300
Will Verstappen claim the fastest lap?: Tes -150
Nationality of race-winner: Dutch (that’s him): -300
Rock Bottom Kings Nailed It
Chances are you saw the Saturday Night Live parody on the current state of sports betting in the United States.
It represented proof that sports betting has become a pop culture phenomenon and a topic with facets serious enough to be mined for humor and social comment.
There’s been varying levels of hand-wringing within the sports betting industrial complex this week about what the sketch got right or wrong, and that’s fine for the micro view. But the fact is sports betting advertisements have become ubiquitous enough, and obnoxious enough - not only to a group of writers in a room in New York, but nationally - that this resonates.
It might also be one of the most pointed responsible gambling messages we’ve seen.
Don’t sell your kidney, folks. And don’t let your friend, either.
Call 1-800-GAMBLER if you have a gambling problem. 21+: All content herein is intended for audiences 21+.
Florida Sports Betting Debate Continues
Brant James illustration
But so does sports betting in Florida, even as the US Supreme Court mulls (or not) taking up West Flagler Associates’ case.
It’s debate club time.
Here’s the case for SCOTUS passing.
Here’s the case for it taking it up.
PrizePicks Goes Reverse Snowbird
Floridians with PrizePicks accounts got this email on Thursday:
I should charge my phone.
This will soon come up with the NCAA Tourney
Odds …
… and enders
Eilers and Krejick: Online Gambling Doesn’t Hurt Land-Based Casino Business
…. and New York in the same week
Underdog is pulling its pick ‘em games from North Carolina and Mississippi
A study by Eilers & Krjecik Gaming of Illinois showed that 60% of sportsbooks’ gross gaming revenue the past year came from parlays. The figure continues to grow. Illinois is seen as a firm analog to estimate business in other states.
It appears that sports betting will be on the ballot in November in Missouri.
Sometimes we’re all Bella.
By BRANT JAMES, Gaming Today Senior Writer
Been in FLA for about a week now and it was so convenient and nice, to be able to use my Ohio Hard Rock account. It is usually option #3 or 4 back home, but definitely #1 down here, lol. Didn't have to re-register or anything... Just opened it up and started wagering!