It was another news-filled week in the world of gambling.
In this installment of a weekly roundup from US Bets, we’re giving you a rundown of some of the more interesting new nuggets from the world of sports betting and beyond.
Also be sure to check out Sports Handle for its weekly news recap, “Get a Grip.”
33 million Americans to bet on NFL
The American Gaming Association, the top sports betting lobbying arm of the U.S. casino industry, is tasked with persuading policymakers in states to authorize sports betting to boost the revenues of casino firms. In its efforts to convince lawmakers to do so, the AGA released a survey that says 33 million Americans will wager on the NFL this year, despite overall enthusiasm toward the sport being down.
Read more at SportsHandle.com.
Bad NFL beat?
BetMGM reportedly took a $100,000 wager on the under for Thursday night’s game between the Chiefs and Texans. The over/under was 53.5 points and the final score had 54 total points. Ouch.
Read more at Yahoo Sports.
More than $3 million potential payday on Phil Mickelson
A gambler in Las Vegas reportedly bet $45,000 on golfer Phil Mickelson to win the U.S. Open later this month. The wager would pay out 75/1 with a total liability for William Hill at more than $3.3 million.
Read more at the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Rare sports betting “equinox”
All four major North American team sports leagues were in action Thursday. Toss in the MLS, college football, and the U.S. open tennis tournament, and that was a seven-way sports bonanza.
Read more at MIBets.com.
NFL player allegedly used PPP loan at casino
Football player Josh Bellamy, owner of Drip Entertainment, allegedly used some federal coronavirus relief funds during a visit to a Florida casino. He allegedly received about $1 million in the form of a PPP loan.
Read more at WPLG Local10.
Nebraska gambling expansion on the ballot
It appears sports wagering could be on the horizon on the state of Nebraska, under a ballot initiative that would bring commercial casinos. It’s facing heavy resistance from the governor, however. The vote won’t be for sports wagering, but with expanding gambling in the state, sportsbooks would be a natural fit later on.
Read more at the Sioux City Journal.
Poker legend passes away
The poker world lost one of its good guys and greatest pioneers this past weekend. Mike Sexton, often credited with playing a key role in igniting the poker boom of the 2000s, lost his battle with cancer.
Read more at US Bets.
More momentum for an MLB team in Nashville?
Justin Timberlake is now an investor with a group trying to bring a Major League Baseball team to the Music City. Talks of a franchise in the city pre-date sports betting becoming legal in the state, but with mobile sportsbooks expected to launch this fall, a team would be a welcomed addition to the industry.
Read more at TNBets.com.
“Nobody beats the NFL”
The NFL season began Thursday night, and while the league is the most popular of its kind for wagering, making the fall and winter the so-called busy season for the industry, it’s not the best sport for bettors. There are plenty of ways to try to find edges, but overall, the NFL is considered the toughest sport to find value on.
NFL season opens today.
Sports Media is flooded with opinions.
We’ll be betting a little trying to hopefully squeeze out an edge.
To all my fellow sports bettors:
Have fun and enjoy but remember one thing:
To quote the legendary @RoxyLasVegas
“Nobody beats the NFL”
— spanky (@spanky) September 10, 2020