Daily Archives: July 29, 2022

CLEVELAND, Ohio A newly formed company has a long shot plan to build a sportsbook in Cleveland, this time eyeing the Flats East Bank as a new home for sports betting.

Its one of seven proposals that have been submitted for Cuyahoga County, but state law limits the county to five sportsbooks. Priority is being given to five other applications already in line from the Browns, Cavs, Guardians and JACK Entertainment. The earliest any could open is Jan. 1.

Records show Steve Rosen, Co-CEO of a private equity firm called Resilience Capital Partners in Beachwood, put in an application for a sportsbook. Some details about the plan became available this week after cleveland.com made a public records request with the Ohio Casino Control Commission

Through his assistant, Rosen said he is not ready to discuss the plans for East Bank, preferring to wait until the application is further along.

Rosen applied for the license under a newly formed LCC called Ravencrest Partners. Details are sparse because the Ohio Casino Control Commission heavily redacted the application before providing it to cleveland.com, citing laws that protect trade secrets and personal information. Even the specific address of the potential sportsbook is redacted.

The plan, according to the application, is to build a 10,000 square-foot sports-gaming venue that would employ about 250 people. The potential sportsbook has yet to partner with a service provider to run the gambling at the sportsbook.

Its unclear who else is backing Ravencrest Partners application, as Rosen is the only name shown; others were redacted. The application said the sportsbook was envisioned as part of Flats East Banks second phase of development, and credits Rosen with playing a role in developing Flats East Bank.

Flats East Bank is an over $500 million office, restaurant, hotel and residential complex near the mouth of the Cuyahoga River just off downtown.

As the photo shows, many details in Ravencrest LLC's application were redacted.Sean McDonnell, Cleveland.com

Ravencrest is one of seven applicants for a Type-B license, which would allow them to build a physical, casino-style sports betting operation called a sportsbook. Rosen will face the same issue as Harry Buffalo, which is seeking permission for a sportsbook in the Gateway District; there are not enough licenses to go around.

Ohio rules allow for 40 brick-and-mortar sportsbooks statewide, but limit Cuyahoga, Franklin and Hamilton counties to just five each. Ohio rules also give casinos, racinos and sports teams preference, meaning theyll have the first shot at licenses.

The JACK Casino, JACK Thistledown racino, Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers and Cleveland Guardians have all applied for the same Type-B licenses.

Casino Control Commission Spokesperson Jessica Franks said the agency is still looking at each applicant and seeing if theyre a suitable location for a sports gaming license.

Should those with licensing preference (the JACK properties and sports teams) all be found suitable and receive a license, that would preclude any other applicants from licensure if the maximum number of Type-B facilities has been reached in a particular county, Franks said in an email in July.

It costs $20,000 to apply for a license.

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Records reveal another long shot plan for a Cleveland sportsbook, this time at Flats East Bank - cleveland.com

Weve got a massive MLB slate to parse through, as we stare down the final Friday in July. Its been a rewarding first four month of the season from a betting perspective, with our record on article plays currently sitting at 48-40. Lets aim to get over 50 winning tickets before the calendar flips to August, shall we?

Heres three wagers Im considering tonight on the diamond.

All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

This isnt a line that blows me away the Padres playing at home likely deserve to be favored in this spot but the more and more I stare at this game, the more and more I like it for the Twins. First and foremost, Minnesota has been pretty awesome in situations similar to this in 2022, as the teams 52.4% win rate as a road underdog is the best mark in the American League. The Twins have also been far and away the better offensive unit throughout July, with Minnesotas 115 wRC+ in the month the seventh-best mark in baseball. For comparison, San Diego has struggled to a 90 wRC+, a figure that ranks below Oakland and Colorado within the same span.

Then theres our pitching matchup. Blake Snell is the dictionary definition of volatility, mostly due to a ghastly 13.5% walk rate. Basically, Snell doesnt know where his next pitch is going and youll never know which version of Snell is taking the mound on a given night. Theres a reason hes surrendered at least four runs in four of his last eight starts and just two earned runs or fewer in the other four. Its maddening. On the other hand, Joe Ryan is about as steady as they come. The rookie has maintained a 2.89 ERA and a 3.35 xERA across 81.0 innings, even posting a 2.05 ERA so far in July. If I had to trust one of these two hurlers, its not really a contest.

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Is this a trick? Am I missing something? Because I simply can not wrap my head around the long odds on this prop. While Bieber hasnt been his usual self in 2022 in terms of both velocity and strikeout rate hes still managed to be an absolute workhorse. Heck, the right-hander has recorded at least 19 outs in seven of his last 11 starts. Hes two weeks removed from throwing a complete game against the White Sox on just 95 pitches. He missed out on a Maddux thanks to a seventh inning RBI single from Eloy Jimenez, but still, thats impressive stuff.

On that last point, Biebers been able to consistently work deep into games this season because he happens to be one of the leagues most efficient arms. In fact, among all qualified starters, Biebers average of 14.7 pitches per inning is the fourth-lowest in baseball. He doesnt walk anybody, and while a higher zone contact rate means fewer strikeouts, it also translates into quicker batted ball events, saving his pitch count. With the Rays struggling to a .113 ISO and a 94 wRC+ since the All-Star break, I think Bieber will have little issue finding the seventh inning once again.

Julio Urias has been really good this season. Well, hes been really good pitching anywhere but Coors Field. To wit, in the two starts the lefty has made at altitude in 2022, Urias has surrendered nine runs (six earned) and 12 hits across 7.1 innings of work. Not exactly the pristine box scores were used to seeing from the 25-year-old.

However, Urias issues make sense. Not only is he dealing with the most well known park factors in all of baseball, but the Rockies have been fantastic at punishing left-handed pitching since Opening Day. The team enters play on Friday owning a .283 average and a .784 OPS within the split both sitting as the best marks in the National League. Thats overall splits, too. The numbers only get better when you isolate the at-bats that take place in Colorado, where, unsurprisingly, the Rockies lead everyone in OPS (.813) and wOBA (.353). At Coors, at plus-money, Im taking this bet every time.

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is theglt13) and I may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (ONT), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

21+ (18+ NH/WY; 19+ ONT). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/ONT/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Please play responsibly.

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MLB Picks for July 29: Baseball Best Bets, Predictions, Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation

Tonight features the last pair of Apple TV+ games before we hit the Trade Deadline, where the landscape of baseball could change dramatically. We kick it all off at 7:00 p.m. ET, with the Tigers visiting the Blue Jays and then the Cubs at the Giants. Below, Ill give two plays from each game that I like and will sweat along with all throughout the evening.

All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

This article originally appeared on MLB.com: Here are 4 wise wagers for tonights Apple TV+ games

I expect the Blue Jays to get out to a quick start against the Tigers tonight. Facing Bryan Garcia is the reason, as hes struggled mightily during his time in the Majors. Designated for assignment earlier this season, Garcia has posted a 7.55 ERA and an xERA of 8.36 in 39 games out of the bullpen. Hes allowed 10 home runs through 39 1/3 innings and lefties have really hit him hard, tagging him with a .499 wOBA. With this being his first start, its likely hell be used as an opener, although he has made three starts in Triple-A this season. This Tigers bullpen will also be shuffling around roles a bit, as one of their most reliable relievers in Andrew Chafin did not make the trip due to his vaccination status.

Given his struggles in the Majors, the Blue Jays could realistically hit the over on this total before Garcia exits. This Blue Jays offense has been cooking since the All-Star break ended, averaging 9.3 runs per game. Of course, this total is inflated due to the 28 runs put up against Boston, but theyve also scored at least five runs in four of the six games theyve played. Give me the Blue Jays getting off to a quick start here tonight and scoring at least three runs before we get to the sixth inning.

I like Manoah to go deep in this game. To win this bet, he needs to pitch at least 6 1/3 innings, something hes done in seven of his 19 starts. Im not expecting the Tigers to give him much pushback, as they currently own the lowest wOBA (.261), wRC+ (67), and ISO (.101) against righties. This Tigers offense is full of free swingers, as their walk rate is the third lowest at 6.5%, while also sporting one of the highest K% at 24.2%

Manoah has been downright untouchable almost the entire season. Its quite impressive when you look at his 2.77 ERA for the month of July and thats currently the highest its been for any month in 2022. When this is statistically considered the worst month of the season and yet youre holding opposing hitters to a .211 average and a .259 wOBA, I think youre doing just fine. Give me a lengthy start from Manoah against this Tigers club with at least 19 outs recorded.

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This total through the first five innings feels a bit high, so Im looking at the under. After a rough start to open the season, Marcus Stroman has really settled in as a Cub. Despite a clunker against the Cardinals before missing some time, Stroman has allowed two runs or less in eight of his last nine starts. Its even more impressive that hes doing this while inducing ground balls at the lowest rate weve seen in his career at 46.3%. For reference, Stroman has ended each season above 50% and even saw as high as 64% in 2015. Nonetheless, Stroman continues to limit the damage. Hes also at his best the first time through an order, as he has a 2.54 ERA with a .227 wOBA.

Alex Cobb hasnt seen the consistency weve seen from Stroman but hes also at his best the first time through the order. His 1.93 ERA in that scenario shows that, to go with a .277 wOBA. Both Stroman and Cobb start to struggle the second time through but ideally, were coming close to closing out this bet once that happens.

I do like the Cubs to go over their 3.5 team total in this game. The biggest weakness for the Giants lately has been their bullpen and this is where I think the Cubs will get the offense going. Since coming out of the All-Star break, the Giants bullpen has a combined 7.00 ERA with a 5.1 BB/9. If you think this is too small of a sample, we can stretch this even further to the entire month of July. Doing that shows a 5.73 ERA, and a 5.2 BB/9. This has been a major hole in the Giants as of late and getting the Cubs to go over 3.5 runs feels plausible. The Cubs offense hasnt exactly been a juggernaut this month, but they are averaging 5.2 runs since coming out of the break. If this bullpen does more of the same, I think the Cubs can go over this total.

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

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21+ (18+ NH/WY; 19+ ONT). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/ONT/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Please play responsibly.

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MLB Picks for July 29: Apple TV+ Best Bets, Predictions, Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation

Last year, I wrote about mobile sportsbook commercials and how, on the whole, they are awful.

Well, I wish I waited to write that article, because finally finally! we have a sportsbook commercial that doesnt make you want to immediately switch the channel. Ladies and gents, I give to you SBK and their ad titled Rewriting the Sportsbook.

Why is it so awesome? Well, lets go frame by frame. (Seriously, why not? Its the dead of summer. Your investigation into Tuesdays MLB moneylines can wait a few minutes.)

0:00 0:06: Its a shot of a semi-bustling office, phone ringing, and then a quick closeup of Jason Trost, the founder and CEO of SBK, which is the sportsbook arm of Smarkets. He introduces himself with a guitar solo playing in the background, which will continue throughout the ad. The guitar sound? Think the riff from American Woman by The Guess Who. Very similar.

0:07 0:11: Trost says Sports are amazing, but sports betting? Not so much. Thats a pretty bold thing to say for a sportsbook. It would be like Tony the Tiger standing up and saying, Cereal is amazing, but sugary sweet cereal? Not so much.

0:12 0:15: Office soccer, featuring a lady catching a soccer ball in a wastebasket.

0:16 0:24: This here is the money shot, as Trost comes back on camera and says, Just look at how much these f**kers are making from you, with a big screen behind him stating, UK Online Bookie Profits, with the arrow pointing up. And then a bunch of angry tweets take over the screen, with Trost saying, And this is how they treat the winners? You know, getting limited and such.

0:24 0:26: Then some office worker with a vaguely Eastern Bloc accent says, So how do they do it, Jason? The guy gives off a Milton from Office Space vibe, but kinda Russian.

0:27 0:35: Trost responds, By giving you terrible odds and useless casino games, but not before he strips off his business casual-wear to display a cricket uniform underneath and his hair turns into a mullet. (There is not a hair metal-cricket video on YouTube as far as I can tell, otherwise youd be treated to it below.) He then proceeds to smash a slot machine to smithereens by hitting it with a cricket ball and bat.

0:36 0:41: Two bored SBK employees calmly extinguish the slot machine fire like theyve done this a thousand times before. Trost walks through the smoke like The Scorpions playing Red Square in Moscow. (Once I brought up hair metal, you had to know something like this was coming. Plus, Im circling back to the Russian Milton thing. Im packing it in here, folks.)

0:42 0:56: Russian Milton breaks a pencil and says the whole situation makes him angry. Trost agrees and asks, So why hasnt anyone done anything? He then removes his cricket gear to reveal a jockey uniform and says, We have. Weve built a product that gives you the best odds and doesnt just beef up our profits. Hes also sitting on a horse. (More on those best odds in a minute.)

0:57 1:12: Still on the horse, he says, No more gimmicks, and no more retired soccer players trying to sell you a bet boost. While hes saying this, the camera switches to a kindly, gray-haired gent whos immediately dismissed by Trost when he says, Sorry, Gary Pallister, whos apparently a former soccer star. Trost then dismounts the horse by doing a cartwheel. He then does a series of additional cartwheels before changing back into business casual.

1:13 -1:20:Trost finishes with, Were SBK, and were here to rewrite the sportsbook.

See? Awesome.

Of course, SBK is currently only available stateside in Colorado. So I checked to see if they actually had the best odds, using Monday nights MLB moneylines as my barometer.

This was around 5 p.m. ET, and SBK had the best price in three markets and tied for the best in four others meaning they werent the best price in 17 markets. Of course, in most cases they were only off by a penny or three, but still: not the best prices, at least here in the colonies.

But having seven out of 24 best prices in this industry aint too shabby, either. Ill allow them a pretty, pretty, pretty, good.

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Finally, A Sportsbook Ad That Doesn't Make You Want To Scream - Sports Handle

Here are my favorite DraftKings Sportsbook picks for Wednesdays slate of MLB games; were going heavy on the total bases props.

Follow along on Twitter (@Nick_Friar) for updates.

All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook and all odds subject to change.

As much as I like the Reds as an opponent for Braxton Garrett, this specific matchup isnt a good one for the Miami left-hander. Drury has crushed left-handed pitchers this season, and hes been especially tough on them of late. Across his last 47 plate appearances against lefties, Drury has a 48.5% hard-contact rate and 51.5% fly-ball rate (putting the over on his home run prop in play at +245). That quality contact has turned into four doubles and six home runs, helping lead to Drurys .489 ISO during that span.

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Santander is rolling right now. Hes laced an extra-base hit in four of his last six games played, the last two being home runs. Although the Baltimore outfielder doesnt have a great ISO against right-handed pitching this month, hes getting the ball airborne often (30.4% ground-ball rate). That should play well against Drew Rasumssen. Tampa Bays Wednesday starter has a 26.1% line-drive rate against left-handed hitters across his last four starts. While he does have a 2.53 ERA against lefty bats throughout this stretch, Rasmussens 4.29 FIP during the same time frame indicates hes due for some tough results against lefties.

Hernandez has the perfect marriage of form and matchup on Wednesday. Hes put together a .283 ISO against right-handed pitching this month on the back of four home runs and five doubles. Those extra-base hits have been the result of a 40% hard-contact rate and 35% line-drive rate. The last 80 right-handed hitters to face Adam Wainwright have almost put up the same hard-contact rate (39.3%), too. Across his last five starts, Wainwright has also surrendered a 29.5% line-drive rate to righties.

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I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and user (my username is dk-nfriar) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (ONT), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

21+ (18+ NH/WY; 19+ ONT). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/ONT/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Please play responsibly.

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MLB Picks: Baseball Best Bets, July 27 Odds on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation

This article originally appeared on MLB.com: Breaking down the betting odds in ROY race

This week, we focus on all the up-and-coming rookies that are in contention for the Rookie of the Year Award. Our panel has put in their vote and were going to discuss three of those players, alongside their DraftKings Sportsbook odds to take down this prestigious title.

The last time we talked about Julio Rodrguez in this article, he was -285 to win the award. Now, as of July 28, that has grown to -450. At this point, weve missed the boat on taking this bet to win the award. There simply is no value in taking him at -450, as youd need to play $450 to win $100 on this bet. As these odds indicate, barring an extended absence or a prolonged slump, Rodrguez has this award wrapped up.

Anyone who is backing Rodrguez did have a slight scare. In the first contest coming out of the All-Star break, Rodrguez was scratched minutes before the game was to begin, even after being on the field for the pregame ceremonies. The Mariners said after the game that Rodrguez was dealing with a sore wrist. That injury sidelined him for three games, only to see him return and launch a first-inning solo home run. Rodrguez added to that the next night, hitting a go-ahead three-run home run in the seventh inning in a Mariners comeback win against the Rangers. Heading into Thursday, Rodrguez is slashing .274/.337/.489 with 18 home runs, 56 RBIs and 21 stolen bases.

The Braves look as if theyll be the owners of the National League Rookie of the Year. Not only is Strider leading the way, but Michael Harris II has the second-best odds at +225. Strider started the season off coming out of the bullpen, where he made 11 appearances totaling 24 1/3 innings, allowing just six runs on 13 hits with 37 strikeouts (13.7 K/9). Then came the move to the rotation and thats where Strider really started to grab peoples attention. Through 11 starts, Strider has a 3.21 ERA, allowing 22 runs (20 earned) on 37 hits with 83 strikeouts (13.3 K/9) in 56 innings. Two tough starts against the Nationals and the Giants are what is keeping Strider from having elite numbers, as the 11 runs in those games account for 55% of the total runs hes allowed.

The month of August is going to be the make-or-break stretch for Strider. The Braves will endure a tough schedule that includes 15 games against the National League East. Nine of those games will be against the Mets, whom the Braves are battling against for sole possession of first place. If the rotation stays as it is, Strider is currently on track to face the Phillies, Mets, Marlins, Mets, Astros, Cardinals and Rockies in August. If he comes out of that pitching as well as he has, he undoubtedly will take this award down. If he falters, this would be the time that someone else moves up the ranks to overtake him. This is likely a pivotal time to decide on if you want to take him or not, as a tough stretch is incoming.

Ive written up Gorman before and a recent slide in offense from him has slid his odds down to 28-1. Gorman is the talk of the league lately, as rumors are floating that he could be a centerpiece in a potential deal with the Nationals for Juan Soto. That should say a lot about what teams think of Gorman, despite him slashing .229/.303/.430. The biggest appeal of Gorman is his power. While he hasnt been hitting for average, he does have 16 extra-base hits of his 37 total. Ten have gone for home runs while six were doubles. That pop in his bat has been with him all throughout the Minors and was a big reason for his callup at the end of May. Through 34 games in Triple-A, Gorman hit 15 home runs and knocked in 23.

At these odds, youre simply taking a chance on Gorman heating back up at the plate, regardless of what team hes on. Granted, he has a much better chance of producing if hes on the Cardinals as hell be protected better, but Soto is still seeing plenty of pitches himself. Personally, I think these odds are very attractive and it doesnt take much to produce a huge ROI if this ends up hitting at 28-1.

Place your MLB bets at DraftKings Sportsbook and bet online by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.

Put your knowledge to the test. Sign up for DraftKings and experience the game inside the game.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, crisis counseling and referral services can be accessed by calling 1-800-GAMBLER (1-800-426-2537) (IL/IN/MI/NJ/PA/WV/WY), 1-800-NEXT STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO/NH), 888-789-7777/visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA), 1-877-770-STOP (7867) (LA), 877-8-HOPENY/text HOPENY (467369) (NY), visit OPGR.org (OR), call/text TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN), ConnexOntario 1-866-531-2600 (ONT), or 1-888-532-3500 (VA).

21+ (18+ NH/WY; 19+ ONT). Physically present in AZ/CO/CT/IL/IN/IA/LA/MI/NH/NJ/NY/ONT/OR/PA/TN/VA/WV/WY only. Eligibility restrictions apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for full terms and conditions. DraftKings operates pursuant to an Operating Agreement with iGaming Ontario. Please play responsibly.

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MLB Picks for July 23, 24: Baseball Best Bets on DraftKings Sportsbook - DraftKings Nation

Since launching its small business strategy in 2021, Elys Game Technology's model to place white label sportsbooks in restaurants and bars has proven a successful endeavor. The approach has thrived in D.C. where Elys' partner Grand Central Restaurant debuted the district's first restaurant sportsbook last October, leading to new deals and widespread industry interest. It's no surprise then that the sports betting and iGaming platform provider has grown confident, with a new ambitious plan on the horizon: extending this momentum to Ohio's upcoming market.

With the Buckeye State slated to include Type C sports betting licenses for bars and restaurants within its market, set to launch on January 1, Elys eyes a major opportunity for its small business plan. "Since the gross gaming revenue for the state could potentially reach $300 to $400 million in its first full year, the opportunity in Ohio is certainly one that we could not ignore," Elys Chairman Mike Ciavarella tells Yogonet.

In this exclusive interview, the executive also details the keys behind the full rollout of the Ocean Casino Resort sportsbook in Atlantic City, called The Gallery, an essential part of the company's plans for the casino segment. Moreover, Ciavarella discusses expansion and new opportunities in the US and Canada at large, in addition to Elys' ambitions for the digital betting space.

Elys announced last month it has signed deals to run its fourth and fifth white label sportsbooks in bars and restaurants in Washington D.C. What can you tell us about these partnerships, and in regards to the general development of the small businesses market in D.C.?

With the repeal of PASPA in 2018, the sentiment toward mobile sports betting was remarkable. To give small businesses a chance to participate in the sports betting industry, legislators and regulators in Washington, D.C. truly stepped up to pioneer this market segment.

Its clear that Elys successful small business sportsbook installation at Grand Central Restaurant and Sportsbook has created considerable interest in this segment, not only in D.C., but also in nearby states.

We feel that the Class B sports betting segment is very much in its early stages for all markets across North America. These partnerships could potentially provide small businesses additional ancillary revenue from sports betting along with core business sales which can combine to drive economic growth at the grassroots level.

With the innovative Elys Build-a-Bet platform, these locations will be able to offer unique and entertaining experiences for bettors, and essentially differentiate themselves from each other by giving patrons an opportunity to enjoy a meal or beverage while watching their favorite sports events within a vibrant environment.

Elys has been an early player within this segment. What has been the reception to Elys services within this space thus far, and has this strategy delivered the results the company expected? What role has the Memorandum of Understanding with the New York State Restaurant Association (NYSRA) played since it was signed in September?

Due in part to a transient consumer base, we believe that the D.C. market is unique in that bettors prefer the retail environment in lieu of mobile options, so Grand Central Restaurant has been able to benefit from this model and has exceeded our expectations. Ultimately, Grand Central has set the tone for our future locations in D.C.

Even more importantly, patrons have mentioned that they like the ability to support a local establishment, which is an underrated aspect of this offering. To this end, the early results seen at Grand Central speak for themselves. Elys is very proud to have played a key part in driving this strategy and we expect more of the same as we scale up in multiple locations across the nation.

Regarding the Memorandum, New York, along with other states, are closely assessing the benefits of allowing small businesses to participate as operators in the sports betting industry with the goal of complimenting their core business. From Elys initial launch in DC, its clear that it can be done, and we feel confident that legislators will embrace the union of small businesses with the excitement of sports betting as a viable contribution to the local economy.

Ohio has included Type C licenses for bars and restaurants once it launches sports betting next year. Elys has already expressed an interest in entering this market, and partnered with Wright Bet to operate sportsbooks in the state. What are your expectations for Ohio? In what ways will the restaurants and bars' space here differ from that in D.C.? How many partners does Elys expect to go live with in Ohio?

Interestingly, by creating a variety of classes in both land-based and mobile licenses, Ohio legislators took a view that makes a lot of sense in the sports betting business. This wide range of distribution gives sports bettors multiple options for placing their bets and closely replicates the European landscape. This strong relationship with Elys origins and experience raises our expectations of successfully capturing a significant slice of the market in Ohio. Since the gross gaming revenue for the state could potentially reach $300 to $400 million in its first full year, the opportunity in Ohio is certainly one that we could not ignore.

We imagine a large percentage of the gross gaming revenue will go towards the mobile market, but retail should still see a significant portion. Type C locations will have different standards and procedures dictated by the state of Ohio, but the overall experience will be similar to a D.C. location.

Considering the huge number of small businesses that could apply to the Type C market, Elys has the potential of partnering with thousands of locations through our relationship with Wright Bet.

Among rules published by the Ohio Lottery Commission is a controversial provision that states that, unless approved by the director, no Type C host shall have more than two self-service terminals at a licensed facility. Moreover, these kiosks wont feature the full array of sports betting options that other sportsbooks will. Whats your take on these limitations, and how could they potentially impact operations? Would that number of kiosks be enough for the expected demand?

We dont believe that these provisions should be viewed as restrictions, but simply a good starting point. Both Elys and our partners can adapt to the possibilities ahead and rise to the challenge. To ensure that sports bettors and business patrons have a fair sportsbook offering, and that operators can provide the product in an economic manner, we will work closely with the Ohio Lottery and have no concerns about the current provisions for Type C licenses. We also believe that there is always an opportunity for public feedback on the limited bet options and potential amendments to these initial boundaries in the near future.

It's not unusual to see one or two kiosks in many successful European retail locations, and because we estimate several Type C location points of sales, the limit of two kiosks is not expected to create significant ques or bottlenecks or limit the revenue expectations for Elys or our partners.

The company has also recently gone live with the full rollout of the Ocean Casino Resort Sportsbook in Atlantic City, called The Gallery. What options does the new space offer in terms of sports betting to its guests, and what added value do Elys offerings bring to the venue? What has the feedback for the sportsbook been like since launch?

We have a strong partnership with one of the first owner-managed sportsbooks in the US at Ocean Casino Resort and are both very proud that our two teams combined strengths to launch The Gallery in time for the summer sports season.

Elys is providing the entire backend infrastructure for sports betting, risk management, and support. The new venue offers patrons of The Gallery to enjoy a wide variety of entertainment options including multiple televisions for unobstructed viewing, a redesigned bar space, and a new VIP lounge, as well as table games and traditional casino games. The strong relationship with our partners at Ocean gives Elys the opportunity to work on improving our product, filling any gaps as our relationship builds, and offering the best possible experience for players.

Although it is still quite early in the launch, weve seen a significant uptick in handle at the new sportsbook and the feedback has been excellent in regard to the lounge experience, along with the entertainment. We expect the start of the coming professional and college sports season with football, hockey, basketball matches to result in a significant increase in handle.

Atlantic City is one of the top sports betting and resort destinations in the country. What does this new launch mean for the company and its wider strategy for the casino segment? How is the company currently expanding its presence in the US retail landscape at large, and what other states could offer an opportunity going forward?

The new casino launch is a key component in Elys strategic expansion plan. After deploying our small business architecture in D.C., this product represents our large venue build for casino and racetrack venues. Since the US and Canadian markets have many casino venues speckled throughout the territories, compared to the Italian market, for example, the casino segment is an important market sector for Elys in North America. For this reason, we wanted to create a specialized, fully automated sportsbook in this product build for future expansion.

Elys approach has always been methodical and prudent, particularly in terms of product preparation, which we expect will be adopted by a large number of operators seeking a cutting-edge end-to-end solution across the country over the next phase of growth in the U.S. sports betting market. To that end, we will always be interested in jurisdictions that allow retail and mobile sports betting in any size venue and we are creating a road map of states with sustainable tax models for Elys to expand into.

Elys announced earlier this year a deal with Lottomatica to develop a North American-focused sportsbook platform. What can you tell us about this partnership and the companys digital rollout? What synergies do you expect from Elys omnichannel strategy going forward? And lastly, what can you tell us in regards to opportunities in the Canadian market?

As mentioned, we are proceeding prudently in both our small and large land-based architectures and the same holds true for our digital offering. Both Elys and Lottomatica are very focused on launching in the market with the best possible product, as such, our design build is on pace for first testing prior to the end of this fiscal year and we expect to have a public launch soon thereafter.

The synergies that bind Elys and Lottomatica are firmly rooted in our common core experiences in the highly competitive European sports betting space where players can get their bets in through both online and land-based channels. The more our respective teams are engaged in the product build, the better the customer-facing ideas are fostered.

The Canadian market is, as one might expect, a long-game prospect for Elys. With the competition aggressively jumping into the new space, we believe that its very early in the cycle to constitute a gainful business case to immediately enter the Canadian market.

See the original post:

"It is clear Elys' successful small business sportsbook installations have created considerable interest in this segment" - Yogonet...

Every day, right after docking my laptop at the desk in my cube and brewing some inadequate and disappointing K-Cup coffee (which is no knock on the work environment at SBL all K-Cup coffee is inadequate and disappointing), I log in to every major online sportsbook and check their deposit and withdrawal menus for changes.

Usually, theres nothing to report, and everything is business as usual.

But every now and then, on the rarest of rare occasions, something big happens behind the scenes and we get a host of new bet funding options to choose from.

And when that happens, well, its my job to make sure you know all about it.

So:

Specifically, sister sites MyBookie Sportsbook and Xbet Sportsbook have significantly expanded their selection of sports betting crypto options.

Previously, the sites were relatively conservative in their crypto libraries, with only Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum, and Ripple making the cut. Now, though, both venues have upped their games considerably.

As of the time of this writing (and probably a few days prior, to be honest), you can now make deposits and claim payouts with the following just-added altcoins at MyBookie AG and Xbet AG:

With these six new crypto bet funding methods, that brings the total number of cryptocurrencies supported by both sites to 10.

But why not 11?

Well, unfortunately, all this has come at a (potentially not insignificant) cost:

MyBookie and Xbet have dropped support for Ripple (XRP).

While XRP remains a viable crypto gambling option and is still supported by BetOnline and SportsBetting AG, the ongoing kerfuffle with the SEC and the fact that Ripple is still unlisted by the big US crypto exchanges (making it generally more difficult to acquire than other popular crypto coins) has caused waning interest in the asset from bettors.

Now, just because these six new cryptos (or, rather, new cryptos to you if youre a member at either book) are available for use, that doesnt mean theyre all going to be compelling.

For us, though, at least two of them are worth making the switch for, regardless of the crypto option youve been using: Solana and Cardano. Both of these are Proof-of-Stake (PoS) coins with established stake pool models and great historical returns.

So, you know, you can get winnings on top of your winnings.

That said, Tether isnt all that compelling unless you really have a use case for stablecoins, while Dogecoin and Shiba Inu are memecoins that dont have the investment potential of any of the other available options. Binance Coin (BNB) is a decent option as a top 5 cryptocurrency, but if youre going to use BNB, you might as well just use Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Regardless, though, more options is always better, and both MyBookie and Xbet have effectively doubled their banking menus.

So buy in, bet big, and double your bank!

Read the original here:

Six New Crypto Betting Options Added To Sportsbook Menus - SportsBetting.Legal

The bid to legalize NC online sports betting failed last month by the barest of margins.

However, the effort might have received a stronger push toward the line had sportsbooks not left it until too late to mobilize their customer base.

DraftKings emailed NC customers onJune26, urging them to contact lawmakers to support mobile sports betting legislation.

There was just one problem: lawmakers had already voted against the sports betting legislation four days earlier, killing the bill.

The DraftKings email read:

Have you heard? Lawmakers in North Carolina could bring mobile sports betting to the Tar Heel State! But it wont happen unless they hear from fans like you NOW.

Were just a couple of months away from another football season and North Carolina still doesnt have mobile sports betting. Meanwhile, sports fans in states across the country, including in Virginia and Tennessee, have had access to full mobile sports betting for a while.

That means that North Carolina continues to leave millions of dollars on the table by not allowing mobile sports betting in the state. Instead, all of that money will go to illegal operators and other states with legal mobile betting.

Its time to act! Tell your North Carolina lawmakers that you want mobile sports betting in North Carolina NOW!

DraftKings representatives did not respond to requests for comment from LSR.

At least DraftKings tried. Other major sportsbooks did not send out an activation email at all, multiple NC account holders said.

NC Senate Bill 688failed by just one vote, 51-50.

Any fan involvement could have swayed just enough votes to pass the bill, said Dennis Justice, a sports betting industry observer and NC House candidate. E-mails cost next to nothing. Unforgivable.

North Carolina at least has retail betting through two tribal-owned Harrahscasinos that feature a retail Caesars Sportsbook.

NC mobile sports betting might have failed this year regardless.

However, Justice noted industry lobbyists were simply not prepared for local political dynamics, especially the debate around in-state college betting.

Not understanding how politics work in each state will hurt the cause, Justice said.

Indeed, it isnt the first time US sportsbooks have missed an expansion opportunity through a lack of sufficient organization.

Back in January, FanDuel and DraftKings failed to secure the nearly 900,000 verified signatures needed to place a Florida sports betting question on the ballot.

The operators actually collected more than enough signatures, but did not give the state time to verify them.

These failures are particularly relevant as the battle for California sports betting looms.

Online sportsbooks face committed opposition with deep pockets and political sway.

Will the industry learn from its recent past or keep making the same mistakes?

More:

Four The Love: Sportsbooks Late In Failed Online NC Sports Betting Bid - Legal Sports Report

The Tampa Bay Rays (53-46) host the Cleveland Guardians (50-48) Friday for the 1st game of a 3-game set at Tropicana Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 p.m. ET. Lets analyze Tipico Sportsbooks lines around the Guardians vs. Rays odds with MLB picks and predictions.

Cleveland is 4-4 straight up (SU) following the All-Star Game with 2 straight 4-game series splits at the Chicago White Sox and at the Boston Red Sox.

Tampa is just 2-5 SU since the All-Star break, which includes back-to-back series losses at the Kansas City Royals and Baltimore Orioles.

Fridays game is their 1st meeting of the season. The Rays won 6 of 7 from the Guardians in 2021.

PLAY: Free, daily sports pickem contests.Play now!

RHP Shane Bieber vs. LHP Jeffrey Springs

Bieber is 4-6 with a 3.55 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 8.9 K/9 in 111 2/3 IP over 18 starts.

Springs is 3-2 with a 2.50 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 9.5 K/9 in 68 1/3 IP across 12 starts and 8 relief appearances.

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:01 a.m. ET.

Exclusive USA TODAY Network offer: Deposit $10 or more, get $200 in instant bet credits at Tipico Sportsbook! New customer offer in CO and NJ. 21+, see Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. Place your legal, online sports bets at Tipico. Lets make this interesting. Bet now!

Rays 4, Guardians 2

BETtheRAYS (-117)before they get too expensive.

Tipico opened Tampa at -110 but its been steamed up to the current number despite the Guardians (-103) having a former Cy Young-winning ace on the hill and being in much better form.

But, Clevelands lineup struggles vs. left-handed pitching and Springs grades higher than Bieber in several advanced pitching metrics.

For instance, the Guardians are 29th in wRC+ (75) and wOBA (.273), 30th in ISO (.102) and 26th in hard-hit rate, per FanGraphs.

Also, Bieber and Springs have the same expected ERA but Springs has a much better chase rate, hard-hit rate and exit velocity than Bieber, according to Statcast.

BETtheRAYS (-117).

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PASS.

The Rays +1.5 (-210) is overpriced and their alternate line is a no-go because Tampa is 14-24 RL as home favorites and the Guardians -1.5 (+165) are 21-13 RL as road underdogs.

PASSwith a lean to the Under 6.5 (+105) because the Rays are 3-8-1 O/U in Springs 12 starts.

But, this is a sharp number and the O/U trends are pointing in different directions so its hard to find value in betting the total.

Bet legally online with a trusted partner: Tipico Sportsbook, Sportsbook Wires official sportsbook partner in CO, NJ and soon IA. Bet now!

If youre looking for more sports betting picks and tips, access all of our content at SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW, or try out our USA TODAY Parlay Calculator. Please gamble responsibly.

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Gannett may earn revenue from Tipico for audience referrals to betting services. Tipico has no influence over nor are any such revenues in any way dependent on or linked to the newsrooms or news coverage. See Tipico.com for Terms and Conditions. 21+ only. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER (NJ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO), 1-800-BETS-OFF (IA).

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Cleveland Guardians at Tampa Bay Rays odds, picks and predictions - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire