Things I'm Thankful For … Like Sports Betting!
Sports betting news and information for bettors by bettors ...
As regular readers of the Gaming Today Playbook know, I like to have a theme with each edition of the newsletter. This week, as I fondly remember my Thanksgiving turkey with all the trimmings, it feels appropriate to talk about things I'm thankful for — like sports betting.
Sports betting made it possible for me to have a job that I look forward to doing daily. I've had jobs that I've hated and know many people that still do, so I know how lucky I am. Not only that, but sports betting has made bad games watchable.
For example, last week's MNF game between the Colts and Steelers was awful. But I had a $2 same-game parlay that would have won me $50 had it hit, making it an entertaining contest for me to watch. Of course, when the games/events are well-contested and entertaining, having a little money on the line can make them even better!
I am not a soccer fan, but between the free bets that PointsBet has been giving and the passion of World Cup fans, I've enjoyed following the tournament. So, this week, I want to highlight those awesome fans while discussing this week in the wide world of sports betting.
2022 World Cup
I do not feel the same way when I watch a soccer game, but the passion fans have for this game is intense. Whether it's just a love of the game, a love of country, or a combination of both, along with other things — I don't know. But one can't help but admire the passion and the intense emotions that World Cup fans have had for this game.
Of course, when one of my bets hits, I can become pretty passionate, too. But since I am clueless when it comes to fútbol, I'll have to rely on our writers to help me make a few picks:
Be sure to check out GamingToday.com for additional coverage as the tournament progresses. We’ll have odds, props, and a prediction Friday for Saturday’s round of 16 match between the USA and Netherlands.
College Football: Conference Championship Weekend
The final weeks of the regular season featured some awesome games and one in particular I was thankful for — Texas A&M vs. LSU. I apologize to Aggies everywhere because I was hoping the game would go like we all expected. I had a little money on LSU to make the CFP and for Jayden Daniels to win the Heisman (which I think he could have had LSU won that game and then beat Georgia in the SEC title game).
LSU's chances against Georgia are slim, but the possibility of a big payday makes me excited to watch the game. But I digress … I am not thankful I lost those bets, but I am grateful I can enter the offseason with hopes that next season will be better for my Aggies.
I am undecided about betting on the SEC title game, but I do like the suggestion Rob Miech made in his preview of the game:
For additional college football coverage, read:
North Carolina vs. Clemson Odds & Prediction: Make This Bet on ACC Championship Game
Michigan vs. Purdue Odds & Pick: Make This Bet on the Big Ten Championship Game
College Football Playoff Odds & Predictions: Ohio State Falls While USC Rises
2022 Heisman Trophy Odds: Max Duggan Deserves To Win Heisman Over Caleb Williams
Check out our dedicated College Football Odds page for odds on other college football games.
2022 NFL Season: Week 13
Week 12 was an exciting one, and there is reason to believe Week 13 will be even more thrilling, starting with a TNF battle between the Bills and Patriots:
Not a fan of Bill Belichick? Have you lost a little faith in Josh Allen and the Bills? That's understandable, and since there are several great games on the Week 13 slate, you'll have plenty of betting options this week! As always, if you need a little help with your bets, we are here for you:
NFL Week 13 Teaser Pick: Betting on Two Home Underdogs Again
Commanders vs. Giants Odds & Prediction: NFC East Rivalry with Major Implications
NFL Week 13 Betting Picks & Predictions: One Short Favorite, One Underdog, and One Total
NFL Teams' Records Against the Spread: Three Tied Atop ATS Standings, Unders Still Trending
NFL Betting Trends, Week 13: Early Action on Commanders, Jets, Titans
NFL Week 13 Betting Tips & Strategies: Back These Offenses on the Road
Odds to Make 2023 NFL Playoffs: What are Your Team's Chances?
Elsewhere In The Wide World of Sports Betting…
College football, the NFL, and the World Cup are understandably dominating the sports betting scene. But they are not the only games in town:
You can also find odds for upcoming games on the following pages:
This Week On The Sports Betting Legal/Business Landscape…
It has been a busy time on the legal/business end of the sports betting industry. Maryland launched online sports betting last Wednesday, just in time for fans to put money on the NFL's Thanksgiving slate. Bettors can take advantage of up to thousands of dollars in bonuses!
Meanwhile, it looks like Bally's and WynnBet could be launching in Maryland soon.
Ohio regulators have been busy preparing to launch on January 1, 2023, at 12:01 a.m. ET (but not on the Buckeyes to win the national championship).
Elsewhere on the legal/business landscape:
Illinois May Allow Pro Teams To Compete for Sports Betting Dollars
Are ESPN Sports Betting Plans Shelved With Bob Iger's Return to Disney Leadership?
Massachusetts Accepts MGM Springfield Sports Betting Application Past Deadline
DraftKings To Roll Out Horse Racing App Via Partnership With Churchill Downs Inc.
Sportsbook Promotions: December 1, 2023
The following sportsbook promos could come in handy this weekend:
BetMGM: Flex Your Multi-Sport Skills -- Receive a $5 Free Bet for each betting mission you complete. Plus, get an additional $25 Free Bet if you tackle all five missions successfully! See below for more information.
BetRivers: World Cup Bet & Get -- Place a pre-match wager of $25 or more on any World Cup Match and receive a $10 Free Bet to be used for a live, in-game wager!
DraftKings: New Customers: Win $150 In Free Bets -- Bet at least $5 on any moneyline and win $150 in free bets if your bet wins!
FanDuel: Place a pre-live, straight wager with cash on the USA to advance vs. Netherlands and if your bet loses, get a refund in free bets
That's it for this edition of the Gaming Today Playbook. I hope you enjoyed reading it as much or more as I enjoyed writing it. If you have any questions or want to request a topic to get covered in a future newsletter, you can reach me via email at travis.pulver@catenamedia.com or via Twitter at @FatManWriting.
To close out the GTP this week, I want to spotlight the most courteous and respectful sports fans I have ever seen—the Japanese supporters at the World Cup in Qatar. These guys are awesome, and I am thankful that fans such as these exist:
Bet wisely, my friends, and have a great weekend!
Until Next Week,
Travis Pulver, Sports Betting Writer