Sports Handicapping Articles

Reviews of the Five Best Online Sportsbooks in the US
by Dave Schwab - 10/9/2023

As the majority of states have legal sports betting in the US market, there are five online sportsbooks that have the best websites and mobile apps for wagering on games and sporting events. The following reviews of these online sports betting sites are a snapshot of each one as far as available states, iOS/Android mobile betting app ratings and highlighted features.

TIME Magazine Ranks MGM Resorts as the Best 2023 Gaming Company
by Dave Schwab - 9/25/2023

TIME has ranked MGM Resorts one of the best gaming companies in the world for 2023. According to the US publication, MGM was the top gaming company out of 750 worldwide public organizations and ranked 218 in the survey. The statistical data collected by Statista also confirmed these findings.

Kentucky Rolled Out Legal Retail Sportsbooks on Sept. 7
by Dave Schwab - 9/11/2023

Retail sportsbooks in Kentucky rolled out legal sports betting across the state on Sept. 7. Going live with in-person sports wagers was perfectly timed with the Super Bowl Champion Kansas City Chiefs hosting the Detroit Lions on Thursday Night Football in Week 1 of the NFL regular season.

Bet365 Sportsbook Launches in Arizona
by Dave Schwab - 9/3/2023

With a partnership of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, bet365 has launched a retail and online sportsbook in Arizona. Bet365 is the 17th legal sports betting site in the state as the Arizona Department of Gaming (ADG) recently announced that the sportsbook was awarded an event wagering operator’s license.

Impending Alien Invasion! You can Bet on That!
by Mike Allen - 8/29/2023

It's just a matter of time at this point, right? After multiple sightings and abduction stories, has the United States government finally admitted that there is something else in the universe besides human life? If so, what? Can we get some details? Is this going to be like the JFK files that were sealed up and barely released, only to be sealed up again?

Rivers Casino Philadelphia Earns Top Honors for BetRivers Sportsbook
by Dave Schwab - 8/29/2023

Earlier this August, Rivers Casino Philadelphia earned 21 Best of Gaming awards, including BetRivers Sportsbook for “Best Overall Sports Book and “Best Sportsbook Promotions” in Pennsylvania. BetRivers won the sportsbook promotions honor two years in a row and overall sports book in the last three consecutive years. This year, Rivers Casino was awarded first place in the following categories:

Penn Entertainment’s Barstool Sportsbook is Now ESPN Bet
by Dave Schwab - 8/21/2023

Earlier in August of this year, regional gaming company Penn Entertainment and Disney’s ESPN reached an agreement to convert all existing Barstool Sportsbook retail and online sports betting properties into ESPN Bet. The arrangement between Penn Entertainment and ESPN is scheduled to last the next 10 years, and ESPN Bet has an immediate brand to built from with Barstool Sportsbook. Penn’s retail and online sports betting operations is in sixteen states as Barstool Sportsbook. ESPN Bet will rebrand the various sports betting properties later this fall.

BetMGM Partners with Revolutionary Racing for Legal Kentucky Sports Betting
by Dave Schwab - 8/14/2023

Retail sports betting in Kentucky is legal and regulated on Sept. 7 this year. BetMGM Sportsbook and Revolutionary Racing can operate a retail sports betting in Sandy’s Racing & Gaming in Ashland. BetMGM was the second sports betting operator to announce plans for building a retail venue in Kentucky

Rebranded Hard Rock Bet Launches in Five States with Legal Sports Betting
by Dave Schwab - 7/26/2023

Worldwide Hard Rock International recently announced that its online sportsbook is joining forces with its iGaming technology to form Hard Rock Bet. The integration of Hard Rock Bet will be effective in Arizona, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

Three Western States are in the Top 10 for Legal Sports Betting
by Dave Schwab - 7/6/2023

Arizona has surpassed $10 billion in total sports betting volume in the quickest time of US states that have legalized sportsbooks. The Arizona Department of Gaming reported $535.7 million in sports bets in April of this year.

Nebraska is the Third State to Launch Legal Sports Betting in 2023
by Dave Schwab - 6/27/2023

Ohio was first on the list in 2023, launching legal sportsbooks on Jan. 1. Massachusetts came next by authorizing retail sportsbook on Jan. 31 and online sportsbooks on March 10. Nebraska went live on Thursday, June 22 for sports betting when WarHorse Casino Lincoln opened the first retail sportsbook in the state.

The Surprising Hobbies of Professional Athletes and How They Relate to Their Performance
by Joey House - 6/26/2023

Professional sports stars evoke a spectrum of emotions, from admiration to disdain, owing to their exceptional athletic attributes and accomplishments. The rigorous mental preparation and physical demands they endure on the field can be so all-consuming that, at times, athletes develop unconventional or even extreme hobbies off the playing field. Fueled by their financial stability, many athletes channel significant resources and unwavering dedication into these extraneous pursuits, attaining exceptional levels of commitment and dedication.

The Top Five US Sportsbooks Promotional Bonuses in 2023
by Dave Schwab - 6/19/2023

US sportsbooks have created some of the best promotional bonuses that are geared for the avid sports betting fan. Whether you are a high roller with daily bets on all sports, or a weekend warrior with wagers on the big NFL game on Sunday, these US online sports betting sites have unique promotions, bonuses and incentives that can fill your needs.

North Carolina is Next In Line to Legalize Online Sports Betting
by Dave Schwab - 6/12/2023

Retail sports betting was legal in North Carolina, but sportsbooks were only at three tribal casinos in the state. HB 347 expanded legal sports betting to commercial sportsbooks both in online betting sites and in retail sportsbook establishments, including Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte and PNC Arena in Raleigh. HB 347 also includes retail and online horse race betting throughout the state.

Colorado, Ohio and Virginia Highlight Legal Sports Betting in the US Market
by Dave Schwab - 6/6/2023

Colorado, Ohio and Virginia are three states that have made a huge impact on legal sports betting in the country. The Colorado Division of Gaming recently reported that more than $12.1 billion in total volume has been tallied in the state’s third full year of legal betting on sports. April of this year pushed the sport betting handle past $3 billion in Ohio’s sportsbooks in their fourth month of being in business.

30-Plus Current Sports Betting Statistics for 2023
by Joey House - 6/6/2023

On May 14, 2018, the Supreme Court made a literal game-changing judgment when it repealed the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), which had long prohibited most states from legalizing sports wagering. Since that ruling was passed, betting on your local college or pro team was moved from a dark, smoky bar or some less-than-reputable offshore online casino to the legalized, and, more importantly, regulated, sportsbook.

The Pros and Cons of Betting on Favorites vs. Underdogs
by Joey House - 6/5/2023

Favorites or underdogs? Many bettors have a preference. In the past, before the Internet, public, or “square,” bettors typically bet the favorite with reckless abandon in a sports matchup. It makes sense. A bettor wants some action on the game, and they normally want go with the stronger team in a matchup. So, sharp bettors usually targeted underdogs as a result, because the sportsbooks would shade the lines or move the lines based on heavy public action on favorites.

The Legality of Sports Betting in the US: A Comprehensive Guide to State-by-State Regulations
by Dave Schwab - 6/1/2023

In May of 2018, the US Supreme Court rendered a decision that favored state rights for legalizing sports betting within its border. New Jersey led the battle against the federal government and joined Nevada as one of the states that allowed legal sportsbooks to accept wagers. Right now, in 2023, there are over 35 states in the US that operate legal sports betting.

Caesars Sportsbook Expands into Kansas and Kentucky
by Dave Schwab - 5/22/2023

As one of the major players in the legal US sports betting market, Caesars Entertainment is moving ahead in Kansas and Kentucky. Caesars Sportsbook was chosen as its official sports betting partner by Kansas Crossing Casino & Hotel. Also, Caesars Sportsbook is now a sports betting partner with Keeneland Race Course and Red Miles Gaming & Racing in Kentucky.

Fanatics Buys PointsBet’s US Business for $150 Million
by Dave Schwab - 5/16/2023

Fanatics is a privately held corporation that wants to get in the legal US sportsbook industry in a meaningful way. The sports apparel company formed the sports gaming division a few years ago and it was looking for a sportsbook operator right here in the US market. Australian-based PointBet was shopping its US sportsbook business and the two companies made a deal for $150 million in cash.