Author: David Purdum

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Football bettors post rare win vs. sportsbooks

David PurdumJan 30, 2025, 12:07 PM ET

Close Joined ESPN in 2014 Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008Open Extended Reactions

Football bettors in Nevada beat the sportsbooks out of a net $2.1 million in December, the first monthly loss during the NFL regular season for the state’s bookmakers in 12 years.

It’s only the 13th losing month on football bets during the regular season in the state’s history and the largest net loss on football since November 2012, when the sportsbooks lost $5.3 million on bets on the NFL and college football, according to Nevada Gaming Control.

Favorites, always popular with the betting

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

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Chiefs open as favorites to win Super Bowl LIX

David PurdumJan 26, 2025, 10:37 PM ET

Close Joined ESPN in 2014 Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008Open Extended Reactions

The Kansas City Chiefs, betting underdogs in the past two Super Bowls, opened as the favorites for next month’s Super Bowl LIX.

The Chiefs were installed as a 1.5-point favorite over the Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday at ESPN BET and sportsbooks around the nation. The over/under total opened at 49.5 at ESPN BET.

Kansas City beat the San Francisco 49ers in overtime as underdogs in last year’s Super Bowl. The Chiefs also were underdogs when they rallied

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Commanders eye Super Bowl, long-shot history

David PurdumJan 24, 2025, 10:00 AM ET

Close Joined ESPN in 2014 Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008Open Extended Reactions

The Washington Commanders are a win away from becoming one the biggest preseason long shots ever to reach the Super Bowl.

Washington takes on the host Philadelphia Eagles on Sunday in the NFC Championship Game. The Eagles were listed as consensus 6-point favorites at ESPN BET on Friday. The Commanders were much bigger underdogs in September.

Washington kicked off the season as a 150-1 long shot to win the Super Bowl and drifted as long as 250-1 at sportsbooks

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Bets pour in on Hunter to go No. 1 in NFL draft

David PurdumJan 23, 2025, 01:05 PM ET

Close Joined ESPN in 2014 Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008Open Extended Reactions

Travis Hunter‘s odds to be the No. 1 selection in the NFL draft were on the move Wednesday, after a Tennessee Titans executive said the team would not pass up a “generational talent” with the first pick.

Hunter, a Heisman Trophy-winning two-way star out of Colorado, began Wednesday at 15-1 to be the first pick at sportsbooks. His odds moved to +150 at ESPN BET and he became the second-favorite after Titans president of football operations Chad Brinker’s

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RB Barkley’s late slide in win shuts out bettors

David Purdum, ESPN Staff WriterJan 12, 2025, 09:14 PM ET

Close Joined ESPN in 2014 Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008Open Extended Reactions

Saquon Barkley looked to be off to the races, headed for a last-minute touchdown that would have had no impact on the outcome of the Philadelphia Eagles‘ 22-10 win over the Green Bay Packers on Sunday but would’ve cashed a lot of tickets for the betting public.

More bets were placed on Barkley to score a touchdown against the Packers than were placed on any other player in Sunday’s three NFL playoff games at multiple

Link to Original Article - on ESPN

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Payday! Evans, bettors cash in on Bucs’ final play

David Purdum, ESPN Staff WriterJan 5, 2025, 05:37 PM ET

Close Joined ESPN in 2014 Journalist covering gambling industry since 2008Open Extended Reactions

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could have taken a knee and sealed a trip to the playoffs on the final play of their win over the New Orleans Saints on Sunday. Instead, they elected to take care of veteran receiver Mike Evans, helping him reach a $3 million contract incentive and tie a record held by Hall of Famer Jerry Rice.

Bettors rejoiced, too.

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Link to Original Article - on ESPN