Nine online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania present lots of lines, betting markets, boosts, tweets, and promotions. The coronavirus pandemic forced the shutdown of major sports and has made the books get creative.
This week, some of the live events included international tennis, table tennis, darts and Belarussian soccer.
Even with the NFL Draft, PA sports bettors didn’t find a port in the lack-of-sports storm since wagering on any draft is not permitted in the state.
However, there were some glimmers of hope.
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman discussed possible plans for hockey’s return. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Rob Gronkowski to reunite him with Tom Brady. The Bucs, who did not make the playoffs last year, became a trendy Super Bowl pick.
Offseason hype, even in a pandemic, can’t be quelled.
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Buccaneers boost the books
Tampa Bay started the NFL offseason at 50-1 odds to win the Super Bowl in 2021. Then, they signed six-time Super Bowl winning quarterback Tom Brady which lowered the odds to 16-1.
On Tuesday, the Bucs traded for Brady’s favorite target, tight end Rob Gronkowski. Within an hour of the trade, the odds went to 12-1 at BetRivers and PlaySugarHouse. The Bucs are now the fourth-most favored team to win Super Bowl LV.
The teams with better odds are:
- Kansas City Chiefs: 6-1
- Baltimore Ravens: 7-1
- San Francisco 49ers: 9-1
Mattias Stetz, C.O.O of Rush Street Interactive, which operates BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com commented on the Buccaneers moves:
“The Tampa Bay Buccaneers continue to make outstanding moves to become a contender for the Super Bowl. They have captured the imagination of the betting public. Reuniting Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski could become a master stroke for them. The bettors weighed in immediately after hearing about this trade.”
FanDuel quickly reacted to the trade with updated Bucs futures and a limited-time super boost.
- Tampa Bay to win the Super Bowl boosted from +1,500 to +2,100.
Updated Tampa Bay Bucs Futures 🔮
• Win Total: O/U 9
• To win the NFC South: +155
• To win the NFC Championship: +700
• To win the Super Bowl: +1200 pic.twitter.com/eAD3UqTXcX— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 21, 2020
Gronk futures
Along with team bets, Rob Gronkowski markets also emerged. Here’s what DraftKings has listed:
Rob Gronkowski futures are now available.
🏈 https://t.co/LXFFD9pN68 pic.twitter.com/4is8Z2x14X
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) April 21, 2020
2020 NFL Draft
Remember how you couldn’t bet on the color of the Gatorade being poured on the winning coach during the Super Bowl? Basically the same reasoning is behind why you can’t bet on the NFL Draft in Pennsylvania.
If the action doesn’t take place between the lines on the field/court, you most likely can’t bet on it in PA.
But the NFL Draft is one of my favorite non-sporting events of the year. In New Jersey, the majority of the bettors at William Hill believe Tua Tagovailoa will be drafted by the Chargers and Justin Herbert will be drafted by the Dolphins. It will at least provide more sweat than this bet…
One customer has wagered $14,500 on Joe Burrow to be the #1 Pick in the #NFLDraft per @jsheeran1981.
The bet would win $200. pic.twitter.com/g01MD4Unxt
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) April 23, 2020
Mocking Cowherd’s draft
PAonlinecasino.com tracked Colin Cowherd’s Marquee 3 and Blazin’ 5 picks. Cowherd had a rough college football season and a so-so season of handicapping the NFL. Check back next week so we can see if the draft made a mockery of Cowherd.
🚨 @ColinCowherd's mock draft is here! 🚨
Do you agree with his BIG trade prediction? 👀
Do you like who he has your team taking? 🤔 pic.twitter.com/9trKaxeYlO— FOX Bet (@FOXBet) April 22, 2020
Steelers Super Bowl odds
🏈PITTSBURGH FOOTBALL SPECIAL🏈
Before the draft, bet on Pittsburgh at 200-to-1 odds to win the pro football championship. Bet $1 to win $200! Visit https://t.co/gtFBhqz4mg and sign up with the promo code DRAFT today! pic.twitter.com/9UfH7ZuESk— BetRivers (@BetRivers) April 22, 2020
Table tennis winner at BetRivers
🚨BIG WIN ALERT🚨
Check out the lucky Table Tennis sports bettor who turned $1 into $518 on a 7 leg parlay! Bet now on https://t.co/gtFBhqz4mg!Gambling Problem? Call 1800Gambler pic.twitter.com/wcqcrXpVqe
— BetRivers (@BetRivers) April 22, 2020
A port in the storm
In a seemingly constant barrage of coronavirus news, an uplifting message that doesn’t start with “in these uncertain times” is a welcome one. Philadelphia’s four major sports teams posted this video on their media accounts:
This is the city of #BrotherlyLove. pic.twitter.com/i3mpfJB9ij
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) April 22, 2020
And the Pittsburgh Steelers and Pittsburgh Penguins partnered with UPMC for a “Help the Helpers” campaign.
Thank you to all of those who are continuing to work to keep the City of Pittsburgh safe!
Print & place a poster like this in your window to show that you're staying home to #HelpTheHelpers!
Download here: https://t.co/Dbo4pxu3h5 pic.twitter.com/rRTjHocBpz
— Pittsburgh Steelers (@steelers) April 16, 2020
