Upcoming Sports Wagering Highlights: Election Night, Breeders' Cup, and Launch of Barstool Colorado
Each Monday, our "What's On Tap" series offers a sneak peek into the upcoming week in the world of sports betting. This week, catch a summary of financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, and top games scheduled for the week. Additionally, don't forget to check our weekly reviews, Get A Grip and Wide World of Gambling at US Bets, for a recap of last week's significant news.
Monday, November 2
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have the chance to stay atop the NFC South with a victory over the New York Giants on Monday Night Football. Currently favored by 12.5 points, the Bucs moved to double-digit favorites after the Giants listed starting guard Will Hernandez on the Reserve/COVID-19 list. If you reckon the Bucs will win by a wide margin and the Giants could manage a few points, a four-team parlay at FanDuel will pay odds of +782.
- Four-team same game parlay - $10 bet to win $78
- Bucs -20.5 points (+230)
- Over 45 points (-110)
- Total Bucs points: Over 29.5 points (-108)
- Mike Evans: Anytime TD scorer (+120)
Tuesday, November 3
Sports betting on the ballot in Maryland, Louisiana, elsewhere
Maryland voters will decide on Question 2, a referendum that could grant them the option to approve an expansion of commercial gaming for sports wagering events. If the referendum is passed, the authority to legalize sports betting will then fall to the Maryland General Assembly, which is set to reconvene in January. A recent poll indicated that about 60% of Maryland voters plan to select "Yes." Mail-in ballots must be postmarked by Nov. 3, but properly submitted ballots will be accepted until Nov. 13, according to the Maryland State Board of Elections. Meanwhile, all 64 parishes in Louisiana are voting individually on a measure to authorize sports wagering. There are also initiatives in Nebraska and South Dakota with sports betting implications.
Biden maintains a substantial lead in election-betting markets
On the eve of Election Day, former Vice President Joe Biden continues to be a heavy favorite to win the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election. At Smarkets, as of Nov. 1, Biden had a 67.1% probability of winning the election, in contrast to a 33.8% probability for incumbent Donald Trump. Despite Biden's substantial lead in the polls, about twice as many bettors at Smarkets are backing Trump compared to Biden. "With 60% of the money in our 'Next President' market going on Trump, and more than double the number of users backing him compared to Biden, there is a clear view from the majority of users that the president could cause an upset. However, the average amount a user bets on Biden is double the amount placed on Trump, suggesting those who are backing the former VP to win are more confident than those taking a chance on Trump," Smarkets Head of Political Markets Sarbjit Bakhshi stated in a statement.
For some bettors, a sizable amount of money could be riding on the election.
""Funds would place wagers at licensed betting platforms in the U.K.... Susquehanna's Dublin affiliate could then step in, essentially acting as a behind-the-scenes market maker for the bets."" - Alfonso Straffon @astraffon, Nov. 2, 2020
""The forecast is totally polls-based. Any advantage it gave Trump for the economy or for being an incumbent is no longer factored in... The model is no longer pricing in potential for a lot of movement"" - FiveThirtyEight @FiveThirtyEight, Nov. 2, 2020
Thursday, November 5
Barstool retail sportsbook launches in Colorado
Following its September debut in Pennsylvania, Barstool Sports will launch a retail sportsbook at Colorado's Ameristar Black Hawk casino on Thursday. The sportsbook, now rebranded, contains a 24-foot video wall, more than a dozen sports betting kiosks, and almost 30 HDTVs. Penn National Gaming anticipates rolling out a Barstool mobile sports platform in Colorado no sooner than 2021.
Ameristar Black Hawk (@AmeristarBH) Twitter post, Oct. 26, 2020
Friday, November 6
NFC Championship rematch on Thursday Night Football
In last January's NFC Championship, the 49ers dominated the Packers, accumulating 285 yards on the ground and scoring four touchdowns. However, running back Raheem Mostert (high ankle sprain) will be out for another week for the 49ers. Mostert rushed for 220 yards and four touchdowns in last season's win. To stand a chance against the 49ers, the Packers must contain wide receiver Davante Adams. Over his last two games, Adams has 20 receptions and scored five touchdowns.
Saturday, Nov. 7
Breeders' Cup kicks off with Future Stars Friday
The opening day of the Breeders' Cup World Championships at Keeneland Race Course features a showdown between Jackie's Warrior and Essential Quality in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile. If Jackie's Warrior, the 2-year old son of Maclean's Music, triumphs, he would become the first horse in more than three decades to win the Juvenile, the Hopeful, the Champagne Stakes, and the Saratoga Special in the same season. Jackie's Warrior will face challenger Brad Cox-trained Essential Quality, who is the unbeaten winner of last month's Claiborne Breeders Futurity on the same track at Keeneland. Princess Noor is the clear favorite in the $2 Million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies.
Sunday, Nov. 8
Horse of the Year honors on the line in Breeders' Cup Classic
With victories over Maximum Security, Tom's D'etat, and By My Standards in 2020, Improbable will enter Saturday's Classic as the most likely favorite. Besides Improbable, trainer Bob Baffert has two other contenders for the victory in Maximum Security and Kentucky Derby winner Authentic. Belmont Stakes winner Tiz The Law makes his first start since a narrow defeat to Authentic in the Run For The Roses. Tiz The Law entered the Derby with an outside shot of capturing the Triple Crown. Three other accomplished older horses, By My Standards, Global Campaign, and Tacitus, are expected to race at double-digit odds. On the undercard, several horses, including Monomoy Girl (Distaff), Magical (Turf), and Vekoma (Sprint), are potential singles in Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6 offerings.
Positive comments from Trainer Bob Baffert on IMPROBABLE'S final work for the Breeders' Cup Classic this morning @SantaAnitaPark! @KeenelandRacing!
Breakfast at #BC20 this week on TVG! @WinStarFarm pic.twitter.com/QYIHYOcyf0
- FanDuel Racing (@FanDuel_Racing) November 1, 2020
Top-ranked Clemson heads to South Bend without Heisman frontrunner Lawrence
Clemson overcame a 15-point halftime deficit on Saturday to defeat Boston College 34-28. Following the win over the Eagles, Clemson Coach Dabo Swinney announced that quarterback Trevor Lawrence would miss the Top 5 showdown against Notre Dame while recovering from COVID-19. Despite Lawrence's absence, Clemson has opened as a 5-point favorite over the Irish. No. 4 Notre Dame enters the contest on the heels of a 31-13 victory over Georgia Tech. The Irish defense has held opponents to just 23 points combined over their last three wins. D.J. Uiagalelei, who replaced Lawrence against Boston College, went 30-of-41 for 342 yards and two touchdowns in the win.
- In the world of sports betting, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are currently favored by 12.5 points against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, with a four-team parlay at FanDuel offering odds of +782 for a $10 bet.
- On Tuesday, November 3, Maryland voters will decide on Question 2, a referendum that could legalize sports betting in the state, while Louisiana is having a statewide vote on authorizing sports wagering.
- As of Nov. 1, former Vice President Joe Biden was a heavy favorite to win the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, with a 67.1% probability at Smarkets, in contrast to a 33.8% probability for incumbent Donald Trump.
- Barstool Sports will launch a retail sportsbook at Colorado's Ameristar Black Hawk casino on Thursday.
- On Thursday Night Football, the NFC Championship rematch between the 49ers and Packers will take place, with running back Raheem Mostert ruled out for the 49ers due to a high ankle sprain.
- The Breeders' Cup World Championships will kick off on Saturday, Nov. 7, with Jackie's Warrior and Essential Quality facing off in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile.
- On Sunday, Nov. 8, the Breeders' Cup Classic will take place, with Improbable, Maximum Security, Kentucky Derby winner Authentic, and Tiz The Law as potential contenders for the victory.
- Clemson will travel to Notre Dame on Saturday without Heisman frontrunner Trevor Lawrence due to COVID-19, with D.J. Uiagalelei filling in as the quarterback.
- The NFL's Week 9 games include several high-profile matchups, such as the Pittsburgh Steelers hosting the Dallas Cowboys and the Buffalo Bills facing the Seattle Seahawks.
