Baseball is back and some bettors have been tempted by the 2,000-to-1 odds offered on the Baltimore Orioles to win the World Series.
At William Hill Sportsbooks in Nevada, New Jersey and West Virginia, more bets have been placed on the Orioles to win the World Series than 10 other teams, including a $500 wager Monday at 1,000-1 odds.
“I went in and expected to find two, maybe three of them,” Erich Zimny, vice president of race and sports at Hollywood Casino at Charles Town Races in West Virginia, told ESPN. “I see 39 futures bets on the Orioles to win the World Series in amounts ranging from $2 to $50.”
The Westgate SuperBook in Las Vegas had taken 32 bets on the Orioles to win the World Series and another $25 bet on Baltimore to have the most wins in baseball at 2,000-1.
“People will always bet the super long shots,” SuperBook oddsmaker Randy Blum said.
The SuperBook opened the over/under on the Orioles’ season win total at 59.5. It’s the lowest season win total that SuperBook oddsmakers have ever opened on a team, and it might not have been low enough: The number had been bet down to 58.5 as of Wednesday.
Rhode Island has approved mobile sports betting.
Democratic Senate President Dominick Ruggerio and Democratic House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello introduced the bill to generate revenue and make betting more convenient.
“Expanding to mobile gaming would provide a convenient option for those wishing to enjoy this form of entertainment, and open up the economic benefits beyond the walls of Twin River,” Ruggerio, a North Providence Democrat, said in the statement. “I can envision a group of friends from out of state spending an evening out in a local establishment where they can both watch the game and place a wager.”
The signing was expected. Raimondo’s proposed budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 is counting on $30 million from sports betting, including $3 million in new revenue from mobile gambling. Rhode Island legalized and launched sports betting after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a federal law last year that made most sports gambling illegal.
All 16 favorites won in the second round of the NCAA Tournament.
For the first time since the tournament expanded to 64 teams in 1985, all 16 betting favorites won in the round of 32, according to ESPN Stats & Information.
Three times, in 2009, 1995 and 1991, the favored team had won 15 of 16 games in the round of 32, but this was the first year in which the chalk went undefeated.
Many of the favorites won in blowout fashion, too: Eleven of the 16 games were decided by double digits, with North Carolina and Michigan State among five teams that won by 20 or more.
Washington D.C. will have legal sports betting in time for NFL season.
City officials had hoped to offer sports betting in time for opening day of baseball, but they say regulations and contracts still need to be approved before any bets can be placed.
The city hopes by September betting at privately operated venues like Capital One Arena and Nationals Park could be up and running.
Regulations are expected to go up for public comment in June. Then those regulations have to be adopted, which is expected in July.
Missouri‘s budget issues could push forward legalized sports betting.
But, as state lawmakers reconvene for the second half of the Legislature’s 100th annual session this week, the state’s money woes could put pressure on the players to find common ground.
Gambling expansion has been debated under the Capitol dome for more than three years. But the tone is different this spring after a 2018 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that allowed sports betting to be offered in all states.
Gambling industry analyst Steve Brubaker said lawmakers in Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Tennessee, South Dakota, North Dakota and Arizona have debated various proposals that would allow residents to place bets on football, baseball, basketball and other sports.
Talks also are underway in Maryland, Minnesota and South Carolina, the Illinois-based analyst said.
In Missouri, industry groups are trying to maximize profits and minimize potential losses if wagering is legalized. That has led to a stalemate in negotiations.
Tennessee‘s sports betting bill would allow for only online wagering.
A bipartisan bill sponsored by Rep. Rick Staples, D-Knoxville — the first piece of legislation that was filed in the House this session — is facing resistance in the House State Committee while the Senate Government Operations Committee has delayed taking any action.
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