Will California or Texas Ever Legalize Sports Betting?
As of now, 38 states and the District of Columbia have legalized sports betting, with 33 states offering online sports betting and 36 providing retail options. However, the two biggest states by population—California and Texas—are notable holdouts when it comes to legalizing sports betting, leaving fans wondering when, or if, they will ever be able to legally wager on their favorite teams. Together, California and Texas account for more than 20% of the U.S. population, making them incredibly significant markets for sports betting. These states are home to some of the most iconic and valuable sports teams in the country, including the San Francisco 49ers, Los Angeles Lakers, Dallas Cowboys, and Texas Longhorns. With such a rich sports culture and massive fan bases, the demand for legalized sports betting is undeniable. In terms of revenue, the financial incentive for both states to legalize sports betting is substantial. Estimates suggest that California could generate $3-$4 billion annually, while Texas could see similar figures. This represents a huge opportunity for both states to generate tax revenue and create jobs in a burgeoning industry. So, the question remains: Will sports fans in California and Texas ever be able to use the best sportsbooks to legally bet on their favorite teams? California’s Sports Betting Roadblock California has long been a battleground for sports betting legislation. Several attempts have been made to push for legalized sports wagering, but all have faced significant obstacles. The state’s complex political landscape, competing interests, and the need for a voter referendum have all slowed the process. One key issue is the debate between tribal casinos and online sportsbooks. California’s tribes, which run a number of casinos, have significant political power and have pushed for retail-only sports betting within their properties. Meanwhile, online sports betting companies, which stand to make the most money, have lobbied for broader legalization that includes online platforms. The state’s diverse and complicated gaming ecosystem makes finding common ground a challenge. That said, the potential revenue from legalized sports betting is hard to ignore, and with public support for sports betting increasing, California could see movement on this issue sooner rather than later. Texas: A Stronger Holdout? Texas presents a different challenge. While its sheer size and sports culture make it a prime candidate for sports betting, the state’s conservative political environment and legislative resistance have kept sports wagering on the backburner. Lawmakers in Texas have historically been hesitant to legalize gambling of any kind, and sports betting has faced an uphill battle from the start. That being said, the state’s growing budget deficit and pressure from the gaming industry could spark a change. With the recent boom in states like New York and Florida, which have shown just how lucrative legalized sports betting can be, Texas may eventually reconsider its stance. However, it’s still uncertain whether the state’s leadership will embrace sports betting any time soon. What’s Next? While the road to legalization in both California and Texas is uncertain, there is clear momentum building in both states. With significant financial incentives, growing public support, and the success of sports betting in other states, it’s only a matter of time before these two major players potentially join the fold. For now, sports fans in California and Texas will have to continue to wait for their states to pass legislation. But with the pressure mounting and the economic potential clear, it’s likely that the conversation surrounding sports betting in these two states will continue to heat up in the coming years.
How to Maximize the FanDuel 50% Profit Boost Token for “Hole-in-One” Bets on the 17th Hole at The Players Championship
The 2025 PGA Tour season is heating up with the highly anticipated Players Championship kicking off Thursday, March 13, at TPC Sawgrass in Ponte Vedra Beach. Known as “Golf’s Fifth Major,” this prestigious event attracts an elite field, and this year’s tournament will feature 144 golfers, including 48 of the top 50 players in the Official World Golf Ranking. Among the stars vying for the title are defending champion Scottie Scheffler, along with past winners like Justin Thomas, Rory McIlroy, and Rickie Fowler. FanDuel Sportsbook has listed Scheffler as the +360 favorite (bet $100 to win $360), with McIlroy (+800), Collin Morikawa (+1600), Xander Schauffele (+1600), Ludvig Åberg (+2000), and Justin Thomas (+2000) rounding out the top contenders. One of the most iconic aspects of TPC Sawgrass is the 17th hole, which is famously known as the “Island Green.” This 137-yard, par-3 hole is notorious for its small green, severe undulations, and water surrounding three sides. The hole’s difficulty has made it a fan favorite and a prime spot for drama during the tournament. To make this year’s tournament even more exciting, FanDuel Sportsbook is offering a 50% Profit Boost Token for bets placed on whether any player will score a Hole-in-One on the 17th hole. This is a unique and potentially lucrative opportunity to maximize your bet during the tournament. Here’s How It Works: Opt-In: Once you’re logged into FanDuel Sportsbook, opt-in to use the 50% Profit Boost Token. Place Your Bet: Select whether you think any player in the field will hit a hole-in-one on the 17th hole at TPC Sawgrass. Boost Your Bet: After opting in, your bet will be boosted by 50%, increasing the potential payout if your bet hits! Before you place any bets using the FanDuel 50% Profit Boost Token for the “Hole-in-One” on the 17th hole, it’s essential to see how SportsLine expert Jimmie Kaylor is utilizing his token for the Players Championship picks. Why Follow Jimmie Kaylor’s Advice? Jimmie Kaylor is an expert handicapper and DFS pro for SportsLine. He made waves in the 2022 NFL season by winning the DraftKings NFL Showdown Thursday Kickoff Millionaire contest, edging out over 355,000 entrants. With multiple five-figure tournament wins to his name, Kaylor has established himself as a proven winner. His deep knowledge across multiple sports, combined with his experience as a former college and NFL player, gives him a unique edge when building fantasy lineups and locking in betting picks. Kaylor’s expert analysis is a valuable resource when deciding how to approach your Hole-in-One bets on the 17th hole, and he’s sure to provide the insights needed to make the most of your FanDuel token boost! Get ready to make some exciting picks for The Players Championship and take advantage of FanDuel’s special promotion!
76ers vs. Hawks: Odds, Picks & Predictions for March 10 from Proven NBA Model
Two Eastern Conference teams face off this Monday as the Philadelphia 76ers visit the Atlanta Hawks, part of the NBA’s packed schedule. Philadelphia has had a tough season, sitting at 22-41 overall with a 10-20 record on the road. The 76ers have struggled mightily of late, winning just two of their last 14 games. Meanwhile, the Hawks are 30-34 overall and 15-16 at home. Atlanta has been much more successful recently, picking up two wins in their last two games, matching Philadelphia’s win total over the past 14 contests. This will be the first meeting of the season between the two teams, although they split their four matchups last year. The game is set to tip off at 7:30 p.m. ET from State Farm Arena in Atlanta. The Hawks are heavy 11.5-point favorites in the latest 76ers vs. Hawks odds, according to the SportsLine consensus. The over/under is set at 236 points. Atlanta’s money line is set at -599 (risk $599 to win $100), while Philadelphia is a +441 underdog (risk $100 to win $441). Before placing any bets on this game, you’ll want to see the NBA predictions from the proven model at SportsLine. The SportsLine Projection Model simulates every NBA game 10,000 times and has delivered over $10,000 in profit for $100 players on its top-rated NBA picks over the past six seasons. Heading into Week 20 of the 2024-25 NBA season, the model is on fire with a 147-107 record on all top-rated NBA picks, bringing in nearly $4,000 in profit. It’s also been hitting at an impressive 64% clip (18-10) on top-rated spread picks this season, so anyone following its advice has seen substantial returns! The model has simulated 76ers vs. Hawks 10,000 times, and the results are in. The model is leaning toward the Under on the total points, and it identifies one side of the spread that hits well over 50% of the time. Make sure to check out the full expert insights before finalizing your 76ers vs. Hawks picks!
2025 College Basketball Conference Tournaments: Futures Odds, Picks & Expert Bets for Every Tourney
As the calendar flips to March, the 2025 NCAA Tournament is just around the corner, but first, it’s time for the thrilling college basketball conference tournaments. These tournaments are a critical tune-up for the Big Dance, offering teams a chance to experience what it’s like to play under pressure, sometimes in back-to-back games over several days. Not to mention, every conference tournament comes with an automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament, setting the stage for Cinderella stories and heartbreaking upsets, particularly in the non-power conferences. To help you navigate all the action, the expert team at SportsLine has done the heavy lifting, providing insights on how to bet every single conference tournament. Here are just a few of the experts you’ll want to follow: Thomas Casale: Riding an 18-6 streak on CBB money-line picks Zack Cimini: Hot on a 64-44 run on CBB picks Before you place any futures bets on your favorite conference tournament, you NEED to check out what SportsLine’s experts are recommending. One of the standout picks from Casale: Marist to win the MAAC Tournament at an enticing +900. Casale explains, “Marist stumbled down the stretch, losing its last four games, but that has created value on the No. 3 seed heading into the MAAC Tournament. Just two weeks ago, Marist was atop the conference at 13-3, and now they’re priced at +900 to win the tournament. The Red Foxes have struggled with scoring, but they still boast one of the best defenses in the MAAC. With their slow pace of play, they can grind out wins. There are five or six teams that could take the title, but Marist at +900 offers the best value.” But that’s not all—our experts also have a HUGE underdog pick for the ACC tournament. This team is poised for a potential upset, and if they pull it off, you could see a massive payoff! You won’t want to miss out—make sure to check out who they’re backing before locking in your conference tournament picks.
Knicks vs. Kings: Odds, Picks & Predictions for March 10 from Proven NBA Model
Get ready for an exciting interconference matchup on the NBA schedule this Monday, as the Sacramento Kings host the New York Knicks. Sacramento enters with a 33-30 overall record and a 16-14 mark at home, while New York boasts a 40-23 record and a solid 19-12 record on the road. The Knicks have been dominant in recent head-to-head matchups, winning all three meetings between the two teams over the past two seasons, including a decisive 143-120 victory on January 25 in New York. However, the Knicks will be without key guard Jalen Brunson (ankle) for this contest. The game is set to tip off at 10:30 p.m. ET at the Golden 1 Center in Sacramento, California. New York is favored by 2.5 points in the latest Kings vs. Knicks odds, with the over/under set at 219.5 points. Before placing any bets on this game, make sure to check out the expert NBA predictions from the proven model at SportsLine. The SportsLine Projection Model runs 10,000 simulations for every NBA game, and it has returned over $10,000 in profit for $100 bettors on its top-rated picks over the past six seasons. Heading into Week 20 of the 2024-25 NBA season, the model is on fire, with a 147-107 record on all top-rated NBA picks, netting nearly $4,000 in profits. It’s also performing at an impressive 64% clip (18-10) on top-rated spread picks this season. Anyone following the model’s advice has been cashing in big time! The model has simulated Knicks vs. Kings 10,000 times, and the results are in. We can tell you that the model is leaning toward the Over on the total points, and it also identifies a strong side of the spread that hits over 50% of the time. You won’t want to miss these insights before finalizing your NBA picks!
25 Players Championship: Key Odds, Picks & Expert Predictions Revealed
The PGA Tour’s elite players are heading back to TPC Sawgrass for the 2025 Players Championship, set to begin on Thursday, March 13. Among the most anticipated storylines is Scottie Scheffler, the world’s No. 1-ranked golfer and two-time defending champion. Scheffler has the opportunity to make history as the first player to win three consecutive Players Championships. However, despite his past successes, Scheffler has not yet clinched a victory this season and is coming off a T-11 finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. Scheffler leads the field with the best odds at +360 (wager $100 to win $360). He’s closely followed by Rory McIlroy at +800, Collin Morikawa and Xander Schauffele both at +1600, and Ludvig Åberg and Justin Thomas, each at +2000. Before placing any bets on the 2025 Players Championship, it’s crucial to check out the predictions and projected leaderboard from the trusted SportsLine model. This model has a proven track record of success, accurately predicting 13 major tournament winners—three of those just last year, including three straight Masters victories! One of the biggest surprises the model predicts for this year’s Players Championship: Xander Schauffele, a nine-time PGA Tour winner and one of the tournament’s top favorites, will have a disappointing week and barely finish inside the top 10. Another surprise is Hideki Matsuyama, a 30-1 longshot, who is expected to make a serious push for the title. Matsuyama has already picked up a victory at a Signature Event this season and has finished T-6 or better in each of his last two Players Championship appearances. The model is also targeting three other golfers with odds of 30-1 or longer who could make a strong run at the title. If you back these under-the-radar players, you could be in for a massive payday! Don’t miss out—make sure to see who these surprise picks are before finalizing your 2025 Players Championship picks.
Kevin Harvick predicts surprising winner at Atlanta in NASCAR Ambetter Health 400
The NASCAR season has officially begun, with William Byron taking home the Daytona 500 hardware. But who will step up to win the Ambetter Health 400 in Atlanta? Cindric currently stands third on points in the NASCAR Cup Series standings after one week, finishing eighth at Daytona but leading 59 laps and acquiring 19 stage points. “Here’s my pick. We talked about the Fords. We talked about the advantages, not advantages, just things that they do better than the other makes right now,” Harvick said. “And I’m going with Austin Cindric. I’m going to pick the two car. He’s been up front at all the superspeedway races. I think this is a good week for them to have a chance to win.”
Illinois mistakenly retires Terrence Shannon Jr. jersey upside down
The Illinois Fighting Illini got to honor one of their basketball legends on Saturday night. Fans in attendance for the Illinois-Michigan State game got to see Terrance Shannon Jr.’s jersey get retired and lifted to the rafters. There was just one little mistake the people running the ceremony made. They had the jersey upside down when they unveiled it. Shannon spent the past two seasons with the Fighting Illini after playing his first three at Texas Tech. He averaged a career-high 23.0 points — ranking third in the country — on 47.5% shooting and 36.2% from 3-point range. The 6-foot-6 guard topped the 30-point mark seven times, including scoring 34 in the Big Ten Tournament Championship against Wisconsin. During their run to the Big Ten Tournament title, Shannon poured in 102 points over three games, while leading them to the crown.
Aidan Hutchinson injury update: Lions DE shares encouraging video amid recovery
Detroit Lions star Aidan Hutchinson is making steady progress in his recovery after sustaining a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg.Hutchinson, who underwent surgery just four months ago, posted a video of himself running about 30 yards on a line. Hutchinson, 24, looked like the frontrunner for the AP Defensive Player of the Year Award before sustaining the injury in the Week 6 road win over the Dallas Cowboys. Hutchinson tallied a then league-leading 7.5 sacks in five games, to go along with 19 tackles (12 solo) and 17 quarterback hits. In 39 games across three NFL seasons, Hutchinson has 28.5 sacks.
Andy Dalton, Carolina Panthers agree on two-year contract
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Andy Dalton and the Carolina Panthers have agreed to a two-year contract worth up to $10 million. Dalton just wrapped up his second campaign with Carolina, playing in six games and starting five of them during the 2025 season. Bryce Young is set to be the starting quarterback moving forward but having a quality backup is important in the NFL. Dalton provides some stability to the room if anything were to happen to Young.
