Casino Player July 2022

PLAYING THE BOOKS

BETTING THE FAVORITE

Summer Wagering NFL approaches, trash talking and cruise ship wagering

➤ by Sean Chaffin

T he NBA season has come to a close and the NHL approaches the end as well.MLB is early in the season and football is right around the corner. Bettors have plenty to look forward to in the coming months. It’s never been easier to make a wager and sweat out that sports bet.Here’s a look at some of the latest news at the betting windows.

BETTING ON A BOAT

S ports bettors now setting sail on a Carnival cruise will soon have the option of making a few wagers between excursions and cocktails. The company recently announced a deal with BetMGM to offer retail and mobile sports betting and iGaming on cruise ships.Through the partnership, gaming will be available on more than 50 ships ported in the U.S. spanning the Carnival, HollandAmerica and Princess cruise lines.BetMGM’s platform will roll out in phases over the coming months. “We’ve found an ideal partner in Carnival Corporation and look forward to providing our sports betting and iGaming products to its millions of passengers,”BetMGM CEOAdam Greenblatt said. “This is another great opportunity for us to further expand BetMGM’s footprint.” Under the agreement, Carnival will offer BetMGM-branded digital and cash-based sports betting as well as digital real-money gaming products on board Carnival ships in international waters. This becomes the latest expansion of U.S.-based sports betting, offering more options for players who may choose a nice seafaring getaway. “We’re very proud to be able to deliver the excitement and engagement of sports betting and iGaming to our guests through our partnership with BetMGM,” Carnival Senior Vice President of Global Casino Operations Marty Goldman said.“Our two leading global hospitality organizations will provide a wide array of immersive digital content as a complement to our exceptional shipboard casinos.”

T he pro and college football seasons are just a fewweeks away.The NFL action kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 8, with Matthew Stafford and the Super Bowl-champion LosAngeles Rams hosting JoshAllen and the Buffalo Bills.It should be quite a game to kick off the season and the oddsmakers have the Rams as a 1-point favorite. Sunday Night Football featuresTom Brady and theTampa Bay Buccaneers on the road to play Dak Prescott and the Dallas Cowboys with the Bucs a 2.5-point favorite. Television viewers will see some changes this season.Thursday Night Football shifts to streaming live at Amazon Prime. Also, commentatorsTroyAikman and Joe Buck move from FOX to ESPN after signing new deals to broadcast Monday Night Football.The duo brings a bit more cachet to the broadcasts and hope to turn around the NFL staple’s fortunes in recent years. “Like most kids of my generation, I grew up watching Monday Night Football with Frank Gifford, Howard Cosell, and my mom’s favorite, Don Meredith,”Aikman noted on Twitter, “so you can only imagine my excitement to be part of the legacy of MNF and continue working with Joe Buck,my broadcast partner for the last 20 years!” NFL Season Approaches With Big Matchup Kicking Off Season

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