Category Archives: Sportsbook

The No. 11 Texas Tech Red Raiders (20-6, 9-4 Big 12) visit the Frank Erwin Center Saturday to take on the No. 20 Texas Longhorns (19-7, 8-5). Tip-off is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET.Below, we look at the Texas Tech vs. Texas odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

This has all the makings of a massive, thrilling Big 12 battle.

Texas is 15-1 at home this season, including wins against Kansas and Tennessee. The Longhorns lone loss was by 1 point (66-65) to Kansas State.

Texas might be dominant at home, but it is just 9-7 against the spread (ATS) there this season. The Longhorns have covered 3 of their last 4 but only 4 of their last 10. They have the No. 2-ranked defense in the nation, allowing just 57.6 points per game.

As for Texas Tech, it already took down Texas 77-64 this season, covering as a 4-point home favorite. The Red Raiders have covered 8 of their last 9.

Texas Tech is 4-3 ATS on the road. It ranks 105th in scoring (74.2 PPG) and 20th in opponents scoring (61.3 PPG).

Rankings courtesy of theFerris Mowers Coaches Pollpowered by USA TODAY Sports.

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; accessUSA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 5:28 a.m. ET.

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Texas 64, Texas Tech 61

LEANto TEXAS(-180).

I know its more expensive, but this has all the makings of a close, hard-fought game. Its more comfortable laying the worse odds here than banking on a team winning by more than one possession.

Texas has been almost impossible to beat at home.

Just because it has won at home doesnt mean it has covered, beating Kansas by 3 (79-76), Tennessee by 1 (52-51), and Oklahoma State by 5 (56-51) within their last 4 home games, failing to cover 2 of those.

Its difficult to beat a team twice, especially one that has the second-best defense in the country and should have a raucous crowd backing it.

Ill take TEXAS (-180) for a small wager to win outright here.

LEAN to TEXAS TECH +3.5 (-110).

I like the money line more in this one considering how close of a battle it projects to be, but Texas Tech, unlike Texas, has been a covering machine as of late.

I already mentioned the Red Raiders are 8-1 ATS over their last 9. Theyre also 18-8 ATS overall. Theyre the best-covering team in the Big 12 and are 8-1 ATS against ranked opponents.

Having already beaten Texas handily at home, this should be a close game. A 3.5-point spread is a bit too much not to consider with how good Texas Tech has played this season.

BET UNDER 125.5 (-107).

With an O/U of 123.5 in their first meeting of the season, the rivals combined for 141 points, well surpassing the projected total.

This time around, the O/U is 2 points higher. The trend points to this being a low-scoring game.

Texas owns the best Under home record in the conference at 11-5, while Texas Tech has the best Under road mark in the Big 12 at 5-2.

Both teams rank outside the top 150 (TTU 161st and Texas 342nd of just 358 teams) in possessions per game.

With Texas ranked 2nd in opponents points per game and Texas Tech 15th in opponents field-goal percentage, this has gritty, slow-paced, defensive battle written all over it.

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Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado/ Florida/ Georgia/ LSU/ Michigan/ Michigan State/ Notre Dame/ Ohio State/ Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee/ Texas/ USC/ Wisconsin / College Football News

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Texas Tech at Texas odds, picks and prediction - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire

The Alabama Crimson Tide (17-9, 7-6 SEC) visit Rupp Arena Saturday to take on the No. 3 Kentucky Wildcats (21-5, 10-3). Tip-off is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Alabama vs. Kentucky odds and lines, and make our expert college basketball picks, predictions and bets.

The last time these two teams met, Kentucky covered as a 1-point underdog on the road Feb 5. The Wildcats scored just 66 points, winning by 11 in a game that had an O/U of 156.

Kentuckys offense struggled heavily as C Oscar Tshiebwe went just 4-for-13. The Wildcats are 9-16-1 against the spread (ATS) and a perfect 15-0 straight up as home.

Alabama on the road is just 2-5 straight up and 2-4-1 ATS. The Crimson Tide have covered just 1 of their last 5 games and are 2-7-1 ATS over their last 10.

Rankings courtesy of theFerris Mowers Coaches Pollpowered by USA TODAY Sports.

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; accessUSA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:12 a.m. ET.

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Kentucky 84, Alabama 74

PASS.

Alabama received the most votes of any non-Top 25 team in the most recent rankings. It is a side that has many guards that can light up the stat sheet. Betting against the Crimson Tide at the Wildcats -300 price isnt smart.

Likewise, betting on the Tide, which is 2-5 on the road, against Kentucky, which is undefeated at home doesnt make much sense either.

PASS and look to the points for value.

BET KENTUCKY -6.5 (-112).

Simply put, the Crimson Tide havent been good against good teams. Theyre just 2-6 ATS against ranked opponents. Combine that with being just 2-5 straight up on the road, and Ill take the Wildcats.

Another key reason is that the Crimson Tide are one dimension compared to Kentucky.

Alabama is great at offense, averaging 80.4 points per game (PPG) to rank 17th in the country, but it ranks 324th in opponents PPG (75.5). Kentucky rank 11th (80.6 PPG) and 57th (64.7 PPG), respectively.

Kentucky can defend whereas Alabama cant. That should determine this ball game.

LEANto the OVER 154.5 (-115).

The first time these two teams met, Alabama shot 3-for-30 from 3-point land. Thats not going to happen in round 2. Kentucky also shot poorly (40% overall) in that meeting.

If both teams get back to the mean, the Over should cash. Alabama is 17-9 O/U this season, including 5-3 O/U against ranked opponents.

Given Kentuckys main scorer is Tshiebwe and the Crimson Tide have a 7-footer that can counter his size (C Charles Bediako), this is only a lean.

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College sports coverage from USA TODAY Sports Media Group:

Alabama / Arkansas / Auburn / Colorado/ Florida/ Georgia/ LSU/ Michigan/ Michigan State/ Notre Dame/ Ohio State/ Oklahoma / Oregon / Penn State / Rutgers / Tennessee/ Texas/ USC/ Wisconsin / College Football News

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Alabama at Kentucky odds, picks and prediction - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire

Illinois gamblers wagered nearly $61 million on the Super Bowl, regulators announced Tuesday, a 33% increase from last year when the big game was on the board legally for the first time in state history.

The biggest day on the sports betting calendar saw Illinois sportsbooks come out on top to the tune of $9.5 million, generating more than $1.4 million in tax revenue, according to figures released by the Illinois Gaming Board.

The statewide handle, or the total amount of money wagered, was just $45.6 million on Super Sunday of2021, when the house won by $7.7 million and $1.1 million went to state coffers.

Regulators are still tabulating the full breadth of Illinois bets, which were allowed oneverythingfrom the coin toss (heads) to the color of the Gatorade dumped on winning head coach Sean McVay of the Los Angeles Rams (blue).

Of the states eight legal sportsbooks in operation, most of the wagers were taken by theonline sports betting giantswho have taken over the Illinois market since it launched in early March 2020. DraftKings at Casino Queen led with $21.5 million in Super Bowl bets, followed by FanDuel Sportsbook and Horse Racing with $17 million.

They each turned profits of $2.5 million and $5 million, respectively, but two suburban casinos had tough nights, if not as bad as Cincinnatis. Hollywood Casino Joliet ended up paying out almost $44,000 more to winning bettors than they took in, while the Grand Victoria Casino in Elgin ended in the red by almost $145,000.

Illinoisans have wagered more than $7 billion on sports in less than two years since Blackhawks announcer Eddie Olczyk made the states first legal bet at Rivers Casino in Des Plaines. The state broke its monthly record with a handle of $840 million in December, the most recent month for which data is available.

Wall-to-wall sportsbook advertising has raised concerns among counselors of a spike in gambling addiction. Calls to the states gambling addiction hotline nearlydoubledin the year after Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed the law authorizing sports betting but that legislation also opened more funding for counseling services.

Tax revenue from sports betting is earmarked for Pritzkers $45 billion capital infrastructure improvement plan.

Sportsbooks could soon open atstadiumssuch as Wrigley Field and the United Center, but they still need to apply for state approval.

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Illinois Gamblers Bet Nearly $61 Million on Super Bowl Leaving Sportsbooks, State in the Black, But Two Casinos Seeing Red - NBC Chicago

TheHouston Rockets(15-41) are on the road to face thePhoenix Suns(47-10) Wednesday night. It is the Rockets second-to-last game before the All-Star break and the Suns last game before it. Tip-off is 9 p.m. ET at Footprint Center. Below, we look at the Rockets vs. Suns odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

The Rockets have lost five games in a row and nine of their last 10 contests. They are in last place in the Western Conference. They are 7-26 against teams in the West and have been equally bad at home and on the road. They have eight home wins and seven road wins.

The Suns continue to have the best record in the NBA and sit in first place in the West with a 5.5-game lead. They are playing for the second night in a row after a 103-96 home win over the Los Angeles Clippers. They have won six straight games and 17 of their last 18.

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; accessUSA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 7:15 a.m. ET.

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Rockets

Suns

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Suns 124, Rockets 105

PASSon the money line. The Rockets have been playing too poorly recently, and on the road in general, to make them a smart bet against the best team in the league, even with a big potential payout.

And it doesnt make any sense to bet 20 times what your payout could be on the Suns.

The Rockets have failed to cover the spread in five straight games. They have covered the spread in only one of their last eight losses. They lost twice to the Suns already this season by 12 and by 26 points. They have allowed over 130 points in three of their last five games.

They are 22-33-1 ATS overall and 14-15 ATS on the road.

The Suns failed to cover the spread in their 103-96 win Tuesday night over the Clippers. However, their two wins before that were by 27 and 24 points, respectively.

Phoenix is 15-15 ATS at home this season.

Expect them to play like they did against the Orlando Magic in their 132-105 win.

Take the SUNS -15.5 (-110).

The Over has hit in six of the Rockets last 10 games.

The Suns game Tuesday stayed Under the projected total, but seven of their last 10 games have gone Over.

They have scored 127 or more in three of their last five games. The Rockets have allowed more than 130 in three of their last five.

The Suns will score a lot tonight. The question is whether the Rockets will score enough to help the total.

Anticipating the Suns to cover the large spread, it will be tough for the Rockets to score enough to push the total high enough.

Take UNDER 233.5 (-108).

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Houston Rockets at Phoenix Suns odds, picks and prediction - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire

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Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images. Pictured: NFL logo

Updated:

Feb 15, 2022, 07:19 AM EST

History has been made the NFL has joined forces with the OLG to form the very first American football sportsbook partnership in Canada.

This partnership came about a week before Super Bowl LVI.

The Ontario Lottery Gaming Commission (OLG) is gearing up for a successful year after announcing their new iGaming market launch on April 4.

In addition to Ontarios new iGaming market launch, this new partnership will bring in a great deal of revenue and exposure for the Super Bowl and the 2022-23 NFL season.

Here are the details of this partnership:

On the other end, this historic deal includes OLG-owned Canadian sportsbook PROLINE will be exclusively part of the NFL partnership.

PROLINE + benefits the most from the OLG-NFL partnership because bettors can place their wagers on their mobile devices or at participating retail locations.

Heres what to expect from PROLINE + moving forward:

The other sportsbooks launching on April 4 in Ontario will look to secure their own partnerships in the future in order to stand out in one of the largest markets in North America.

For more updates, check out ourOntario sports betting page ahead of their upcoming market launch.

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NFL Partners with OLG & PROLINE + Sportsbook in Canada - The Action Network

The Sacramento Kings (22-37) head to the Windy City Wednesday to play the Chicago Bulls (37-21). Tip-off at United Center is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Kings vs. Bulls odds and lines, and make our expert NBA picks, predictions and bets.

Sactown lost to the Nets 109-85 in Brooklyn Monday as a 2-point road favorite. The Kings are 4-3 straight up (SU) 5-2 against the spread (ATS) over the past two weeks.

Chicago won its fourth consecutive game Monday by storming past the San Antonio Spurs 120-109, covering as a 3-point home favorite. The Bulls are 5-3 SU and ATS in the last 14 days.

Also see:Bet Slippin Podcast: NBA February 16 breakdown

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; accessUSA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:55 a.m. ET.

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Kings

Bulls

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Bulls 121, Kings 108

PASS.

Even though Chicago should win this game handily, the Bulls (-220) are a little too steep. However, Chicago lights up bad teams and Sactown is a bad team (ranked 26th in net rating).

The Bulls are 11-1 SU versus bottom-10 teams with a plus-11.5 adjusted net rating and plus-2.0 ATS margin according to CleaningTheGlass.com (CTG).

BETtheBULLS -5.5 (-107) for 1 unit.

The bottom line is Chicago has the highest shooting percentage in the NBA and Sactown has the second-worst shooting percentage.

The Bulls are missing several key players but I dont see that being an issue against a Kings team that even I could score 20 points on.

More importantly, Chicago All-Star wingDeMar DeRozanhas stepped up since several Bulls teammates have been sidelined with injuries and is playing the best basketball of his career. DeRozan is averaging 35.6 points on 56.9% shooting with 6.1 rebounds, 5.8 assists and a plus-5 net rating in nine games in February.

Chicago is also 16-7 ATS as a home favorite, 11-4 ATS at home versus teams with a losing record and 6-1 ATS when laying 5-7 points.

Finally,sharp moneyis betting the Kings, which is making Chicago cheaper. Since I cannot reverse engineer the line movement, Ill happily BETtheBULLS -5.5 (-107).

PASS.

Theres no way I can bet Under 232.5 (-108) considering how poorly Sacramento plays defense and how lethal Chicago can be on offense. Sactown is 5-1 O/U in the last six games and Chicago is 7-3 O/U in the last 10 games.

But, my numbers say the Kings-Bulls fall short of the total and most of the market will be betting the Over based on the O/U trends above.

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Sacramento Kings at Chicago Bulls odds, picks and predictions - USA TODAY Sportsbook Wire

HANKINSON, N.D. The Dakota Nation Sportsbook is set to open soon inside the Dakota Magic Casino in Hankinson.

The casino began accepting sports bets through digital kiosks in December, but sportsbook manager Jeff Hunter told InForum he hopes to have the accompanying bar and seating area up and running in time for the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 13.

The focal point of the sportsbook is a 35-by-12-foot video board, which Hunter said can show up to 13 different sporting events. Additionally, the sportsbook area features 17 more wall-mounted televisions. Prior to the books opening Wednesday, Feb. 9, the video wall played a replay of a mens college basketball game, while other screens showed Olympic events and sports talk programs.

Chris Flynn / The Forum

The sleek and modern room seats 99 people, Hunter said. That includes seating at lounge chairs, stadium seats and barstools as well as high- and low-top tables. Additionally, the sportsbook offers a full-service bar and food service.

With the exception of horse races, bettors can wager on any professional sporting event, including the Olympics. Also available are college sporting events, including for both the North Dakota State Bison and North Dakota Fighting Hawks. Pretty much anything you can bet in a Las Vegas sports book, you can bet here, Hunter noted.

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Dakota Nation Sportsbook prepares to open North Dakota's 'best venue' for sports fans and bettors - INFORUM

In December 2020, Randy Levine wrote an op-ed for Empire Report calling for legalized sports betting in New York City. According to the New York Yankees president, the industry would become a means to provide much-needed revenue during the coronavirus pandemic.

So it comes as no surprise that Levine remains all-in on sports betting following New Yorks successful online launch in January.

New York has proven to be everything that we all thought it would be, Levine told PlayNY.

In its first 30 days in business, online sportsbooks in New York took in nearly $2 billion in wagers, generating almost $71 million in tax revenue for the state.

I think its been tremendous. I think everything has gone better than expected, Levine said.

Still, like others, Levine has concerns about how New Yorks 51% tax rate which includes taxing promotional/free play could negatively impact operators from a long-term financial standpoint as they attempt to become profitable.

That worries me, Levine said. The volume is great and the state is making money. But if companies are losing money, theyre not going to be here.

The majority of states that offer legalized sports betting do not allow deduction of promotional play, though NYs tax rate is the highest in the country. Some states allow sportsbooks to deduct a percentage. That policy has become more commonplace.

According to New York regulations, in-part:

Promotional [gaming credits] spend shall not be [used in a sports wagering lounge] deducted from revenue or added to loss when calculating gross gaming revenue.

Sen. Joe Addabbo told PlayNY in December 2021 that, on occasion, legislation is motivated by complaints or obviously people coming out and requesting a change. But Ive heard nothing, to be honest with you.

So the idea is we start our business (session) on Jan. 5, and well see. If we get enough people inquiring about making a certain change like that and we can get support in the (state) assembly and the senate, then we would entertain it. But the idea here is it has to show some type of momentum.

State Assemblyman Gary Pretlow opposes the deduction of promotional play from the 51% tax rate.

I would love for promotional play, but not out of our money, no, Pretlow told PlayNY in December 2021. And thats another reason why I want to make sure they maintain the 51%. If you sign that deal, then dont come around and say now we have to give free play. So reduce our 51% down to 43% or whatever number they come up with.

Many New York teams have been aggressive when it comes to NY sports betting expansion and the Yankees will only continue that trend.

The Bronx Bombers supported the Super Bid by FanDuel, DraftKings, BetMGM and Bally Bet before those sportsbook ultimately received licenses by the New York State Gaming Commission.

We think responsible sports betting is a good way to improve engagement with our fans, Levine said. Baseball is a great game to responsibly bet whether youre going to be on location of the next pitch or whether an at-bat will end in a single, double or strikeout. The possibilities are endless.

The Washington Nationals recently became the first team to open a retail sportsbook connected to an MLB stadium. The Arizona Diamondbacks have a temporary sportsbook near its venue, with a permanent space expected to open in the near future. Addabbo and Pretlow introduced matching bills that would allow for kiosks at New York stadiums and arenas. Levine said the Yankees would like to open their own retail assuming the states eventually permit them.

I think (a retail sportsbook) would be great because I think casinos, mobile sports betting, kiosks, its all part of the same landscape, Levine said. These kiosks and lounges have worked in other places Washington and other places so I think it would be very good.

The Yankees have had talks with multiple NY online sports betting operators about partnerships. They have had a partnership in the past with FanDuel, so thats certainly one possibility.

PointsBet recently told PlayNY that theyd like to integrate live betting content on Mets SNY telecasts. YES Network could certainly do something similar on Yankees telecasts.

One of the things were talking about with all the people were negotiating with the Yankees are separate but YES is also negotiating with a lot of different people to do all that stuff, Levine said.

MLB is currently in the midst of a labor dispute. But the sport has certainly been paying attention to the allegations that have rocked the NFL regarding Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross telling ex-coach Brian Flores to throw games in exchange for $100,000 for every loss in order to secure a higher draft pick.

Education on sports betting is paramount for both players and staffers alike.

As I said it has to be responsible (for fans), theres always potential for damage or harm with gambling, Levine said. Baseball is all over. Were all over it in terms of education. We have safeguards, but you have to be vigilant as far as making sure things we control are policed in the appropriate way.

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All In On NY Sports Betting, Yankees Could Explore Retail Sportsbook - Play NY

After a convincing 76-61 win over Indiana snapped a two-game losing streak, the 18-6 Michigan State Spartans take on the 9-12 Penn State Nittany Lions tonight at 6:30 PM EST. WynnBET has the Spartans as 2.5-point favorites and -150 on the moneyline (bet $15 to profit $10) while the over/under is set at 129.5 for this Michigan State vs Penn State matchup.

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This is how were betting this game:

Will the real Spartans please stand up? They say basketball is a game of runs, but Michigan State has embodied that phrase to the fullest and become a team of runs. Over their last 15 games, they covered the spread in four of five, failed to cover three in a row, covered three straight, failed to cover three straight, and now may be starting a new winning streak after beating Indiana. Perhaps its just that simple and we need to bet Michigan State the next two games?

Well, maybe. Penn State is no slouch. Despite winning just one of their last seven games, the Nittany Lions are 8-3 against the spread (ATS) in their last 11. They lost to Wisconsin and Michigan by a combined three points and actually beat Iowa, so they can compete with the best teams in the Big Ten. With the 350th-fastest pace in the country, they want to slow a game down and make opposing offenses uncomfortable, and its worked for the most part.

Michigan Stateshould handle the Nittany Lions easily. They have the 25th-ranked adjusted offensive efficiency and 37th-best defensive efficiency, easily outpacing Penn States 134th-ranked offense and 63rd-ranked defense.

But the Spartans have struggled with turnovers with the 295th-lowest offensive turnover rate. Theyll need to protect the ball, and luckily they face a Nittany Lions defense that isterribleat forcing turnovers. Penn State ranks just 354th nationally in defensive turnover rate and are ill-equipped to take advantage of Michigan States biggest weakness.

As a result, Im sticking with the see-saw Spartans and taking them -2.5 (-110). Michigan State is an impressive 5-2 ATS on the road. The Nittany Lions have covered six in a row at home, and thats scary, but this is a win the Spartans absolutely need and I think well see their best effort.

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Michigan State vs Penn State Prediction and Promo: Bet $10, Win $200 at WynnBET Sportsbook - Spartan Avenue

The Colorado Division of Gaming has a large online document that covers its sports betting catalog. It is essentially dozens of spreadsheets that detail exactly what kinds of events sportsbooks are allowed to offer wagers on in the state.

But the gem of the document is a tab labeled rejected wagers.

Among the rejected wagers are borderline celebrity boxing matches, eclectic Super Bowl props that have little or nothing to do with the result of the game (Gatorade color, wardrobe selections, length of the national anthem, etc.), and entertainment awards (no Oscars betting in the Centennial State, Im afraid).

One entry sticks out on close examination: the Puppy Bowl, Animal Planets subversive programing on Super Bowl Sunday (the action starts at 2 p.m. ET). I could tell you something about how popular the Puppy Bowl is, but the way the ratings are described in last years press release, it might as well be in hieroglyphics.

And yes, before you disparage the puppies, it is football. There are touchdowns, flags are thrown for penalties, there is a winning team (Team Ruff defeated Team Fluff, 73-69, last year), and there is controversy. Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, there are even Puppy Bowl NFTs.

But the fact that the Puppy Bowl was listed under rejected wagers means a sportsbook in Colorado had to ask to offer it. This obviously requires the peak of journalistic seriousness and examination. Luckily, Im a super-serious journalist.

I even reached out to Puppy Bowl broadcast commentators Martha Stewart and Snoop Dogg, who will also serve as coaches this year for Puppy Bowl XVIII. Marthas representatives gave me hope for a while, only to pull the plug on deadline. I got so close, I could taste her homemade potato gaufrette. I went so far as to text Snoop directly, but he didnt respond. Rude.

So, I moved on to the Colorado Division of Gamings director, Dan Hartman. Why wont the state allow wagering on the Puppy Bowl?

Theyre extremely susceptible to coercion and being compromised, Hartman said. All they need is treats, so we said no.

I find it offensive to question the integrity of puppies without any evidence, but you do you, Dan.

But I wouldnt let him sidestep the tough questions with glib remarks. Who asked to offer the Puppy Bowl, Mr. Hartman?

I dont remember, but I said, Oh, hell no, Hartman said.

Likely story. Ive been stonewalled before, so facing this regulatory roadblock, I did what was necessary. I asked every single online sportsbook that operates in Colorado did you ask to offer betting on the Puppy Bowl?

Its safe to say many sportsbook directors and public-relations representatives did not find the question to be very humorous or compelling. Most poor PR souls tasked with taking this question to their superiors responded with something to the effect of, Uh, OK. Ill ask, I guess. One said, Sounds like something Barstool would do. Shot fired.

When asked if they wanted to offer Puppy Bowl betting, the big guys quickly denied. Johnny Avello at DraftKings said, No. I dont believe so. FanDuels John Sheeran said, Absolutely not. I dont even know what that is. Theres a possibility many of these people will never take me seriously again, but these are the lengths I will go to in order to uncover the truth.

Some didnt confirm or deny. Caesars PR man Jim Carr said, I have no idea. I kinda doubt it. I dont even know if its legal anywhere. Patrick Eichner, who handles communications at PointsBet, said, I have no idea. What could you even bet on? Dont play coy with me, Eichner. You would bet on the Puppy Bowl.

But since Eichner asked, lets get into what Puppy Bowl betting might look like. Offshore books have offered Puppy Bowl betting in the past, but as of early this week, I couldnt find one that had this years event up.

There was a point spread, a moneyline, and even props, including a few that are icky, to say the least. One asked if Michael Vick would tweet about the Puppy Bowl. That inspired me to search Michael Vick Puppy Bowl on Twitter, and I do not recommend it. Another offered whether the MVP would be a purebred or a mix. Imagine a prop that was related to the race of the Super Bowl MVP. Have you no shame?

But if you want to do some scouting, take a look at the video below, or check out the player profiles. One is named Odell Barkham. Adorbs.

All right. Back to the matter at hand. Some of the responses from sportsbooks in Colorado were borderline snippy.

No. That is ridiculous, shot back Nick Epstein, the sportsbook manager at Monarch Casino in Blackhawk, when asked if he was the one who asked to offer wagering on the Puppy Bowl. Monarch Blackhawk would never have anything to do with that.

Please, replied SuperBooks Jay Kornegay. Were the ones that are fighting for those ridiculous things not to be offered.

Jay must be a cat person.

Brian Bennett, the chief operating officer at Betfred USA, used ALL CAPS for emphasis in an email, but at least gave me some encouragement.

It definitely WAS NOT us. I would be equally interested in who would request that. Good luck with the sleuthing, he said.

As the days wore on, Circa, Betway, TwinSpires, and Tipico were added to the list of denials. I never got definitive responses from BetRivers, FOX Bet, SBK, theScore, PlayUp, Barstool, WynnBET, or Bally Bet.

There was also the curious case of Play Maverick, operated by Maverick Gaming, which also runs casinos in Colorado. I called their Z Casino in Blackhawk, and a customer service representative said, Nobody works in the sportsbook.

Uh, what?

Unfortunately theres nobody manning it, she said.

As tempting as it was to get distracted with that factoid, I dont have time to worry about why there is an unmanned sportsbook out there in Colorado. Were dealing with matters of utmost importance here.

Similar to Z Casino, there are online sportsbooks in Colorado that appear to be operated by no one at all or non-sentient beings. Good luck finding anyone with a pulse at SI Sportsbook or Elite Sportsbook, which has a customer service phone line that blares stock rock music, between interludes of extreme static, that is marginally better than the average Nickelback song. For what its worth, PlayUp had the best hold music. Cant go wrong with jazz standards.

Among several online chat discussions with what I assumed were bots, there was BetWildwood, which had a customer service phone line that didnt work. The BetWildwood chat has a pleasant chime when a response comes in, but I wasnt getting anywhere, so I moved on. I eventually found out ISI Race and Sports runs the BetWildwood site, so I called over there. A nice fellow named Julio Castillo, an IT customer service manager at ISI, answered the phone and told me he was the one chatting with me online, too. But alas, ISI did not ask to offer betting on the Puppy Bowl.

That would not be us, Castillo said. Thats definitely something I would know about.

I hung up. Another discouraging result. I may never find out the truth.

But then, like a dispatch of the gambling gods from Mount Olympus or in this case, Mount Elbert? that warm, welcoming chime rang into my ears. I had not closed the chat window with Castillo, so he sent another response.

Some internal information told me it was MGM who requested it, and it was declined because of integrity. Thank you very much for your questions. Have a great day!

A great day it was.

According to Elisa Richardson, who handles PR for BetMGM, the operator did not ask to offer Puppy Bowl betting.

Now I feel betrayed.

Is BetMGM embarrassed and doesnt want to admit its Puppy Bowl boondoggle? Was that pleasant, seemingly helpful man at ISI and on the chat trying to lead me off the scent? Was he pulling my leg? Was I chasing my tail? Does he have an ax to grind with MGM? Could this all be part of a grand conspiracy to hide the truth? Is he Hydra? Sorry, I just watched an Avengers movie with my kid.

We may never know.

Late in the search, I called Doug Terfehr, the vice president of brand marketing at MaximBet. He confirmed it. MaximBet was the sportsbook that asked to offer betting on the Puppy Bowl. There wasnt much drama or flair.

It was a quick no, Terfehr said of the Division of Gamings response to MaximBets request.

We regularly look for and release outside-the-box ideas that bring more fun and entertainment to any event, Terfehr added. We are a lifestyle sports betting brand, and sports fans in the U.S. really like the recreational side of these props, as evident by the annual interest in the unique props around Super Bowl.

Oh. Probably should have just asked them first.

Until we can bet on it, the whole point of the Puppy Bowl, other than dispensing unmitigated joy to the masses, is to encourage people to adopt puppies and adult dogs (and cats, if youre so inclined, Jay Kornegay).

The Puppy Bowl adopt page isnt much help right now, which is unfortunate, but local animal shelters would be happy to walk you through the process. Just do a Google search, or you can find a local spot through the ASPCA at this link.

This adopted mutt thanks you.

See the article here:

Which Sportsbook Wanted To Offer Betting On The Puppy Bowl? - Sports Handle