Nine online sportsbooks in Pennsylvania present lots of lines, betting markets, boosts, tweets, and promotions. However, the coronavirus pandemic caused leagues to press pause.
March Madness represents peak time at the sportsbook. Instead, table tennis is getting the most action.
It is strange and sad, yet historical times at the books. We are documenting the moment here.
BetRivers.com and PlaySugarHouse.com online sportsbook
Last weekend (March 19-22) should have been the opening rounds of the NCAA Tournament. A time for Cinderellas and office workers to dip out for a long break. Coronavirus cancellations changed everything.
Now, table tennis attracts the most betting interest at PlaySugarHouse.com and BetRivers.com.
At PlaySugarHouse.com, table tennis accounted for 79% of the total sports betting handle. The TT Cup, at 43%, and Russia-Moscow Liga Pro, at 34%, accounted for the majority of all tournament action.
The most bet event was an Australian rules football matchup between the Hawthorn Hawks and Brisbane Lions.
At BetRivers.com, The TT Cup Men’s Singles got 32% of the handle, while Russia-Moscow Liga Pro earned 24% of the action, and Australian rules football secured 17%. Live betting was popular, accounting for 77% of the play.
Mattias Stetz, the COO of Rush Street Interactive, which operates PlaySugarHouse.com and BetRivers.com said:
“People are betting more sports than usual and because of this unique time, we are seeing strong interest in some new areas. With major events being postponed, we can really showcase our broad offering of sports around the world. We have rugby, soccer in Hong Kong and basketball in Turkey, along with others. For any sports going on anywhere in the world, we try our best to have it.”
Fox Bet online sportsbook
Staying at home leaves plenty of time to watch movies. Fox Bet presented a bracket of their choices for the best sports movies.
I have no idea how High School Musical made the cut, but it did.
Your first round slate is here! 📅
Voting gets underway at 2pm ET. 🙌
Watch. This. Space. 👀⏳ #FOXBetBrackets pic.twitter.com/BMifaI8OZt
— FOX Bet (@FOXBet) March 23, 2020
Now it’s at the Elite Eight.
It's time for the Elite 8. 🔥🍿
Which movie has the best chance to make it to the Final 4? 👀🤔 #FOXBetBrackets pic.twitter.com/Az8amGTns3
— FOX Bet (@FOXBet) March 26, 2020
How the heck did Talladega Nights make it to the Elite Eight?
Some notable omissions to the bracket:
- Caddyshack (how do you put Happy Gilmore on the list and not Caddyshack?)
- Varsity Blues
- Slapshot
- Major League
- Blue Chips (underrated)
DraftKings rallies for a cause
DraftKings is partnering with United Way to raise $1 million for coronavirus relief efforts. Donations can be made through the DraftKings’ daily fantasy and sportsbook landing pages, and the United Way DraftKings’ page.
DraftKings encourages users across social media platforms to post their version of a #DKRally cap (the inside-out hat superstition meant to bring a team a bit of luck). For every post using the #DKRally hashtag, DraftKings will donate $1 to United Way until they reach the $1 million mark.
DraftKings online sportsbook
Tom Brady signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and became the betting favorite to win the NFL MVP. Last season, Lamar Jackson unanimously won the award.
Tom Brady, who is 42 years old, has seen the most action to win this season's MVP award. pic.twitter.com/gn6EHHrOX9
— DraftKings Sportsbook (@DKSportsbook) March 23, 2020
FanDuel online sportsbook
Carson Wentz did stay healthy for the entirety of the 2019 regular season when he posted 4,039 passing yards and 27 touchdowns.
Carson Wentz 2020-21 Regular Season QB Totals 🦅
• O/U 3849.5 Passing Yards
• O/U 27.5 Passing TouchdownsHow would you bet these two props?
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 25, 2020
Across the state, Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is the favorite for Comeback Player of the Year.
Big Ben opens as the favorite to win Comeback Player of the Year 🏆
All player awards: https://t.co/NHjJ0sd9hS pic.twitter.com/adhYq5cAvL
— FanDuel Sportsbook (@FDSportsbook) March 23, 2020
BetAmerica online sportsbook
A player at BetAmerica got very lucky over the weekend.
A @BetAmerica online casino player started her weekend off with a bang after hitting four separate jackpots.
Not a bad way to spend the #quarantinelife tbhhttps://t.co/IiMMvs9KEr pic.twitter.com/NTo8OMYtG8
— BetAmerica (@BetAmerica) March 25, 2020
Pittsburgh Dad
The uncertainty and constant stream of sad news make us yearn for any shred of normalcy. It’s why we related to these people who miss sports. And “Pittsburgh Dad” who is still using his Terrible Towel while in quarantine.