Sports betting news: World Cup growth, DraftKings prediction pivot, FanDuel CEO exit, Circa Arizona, WNBA picks, and more
Key Questions
What were the betting highlights from the World Cup final?
The Spain vs Argentina final on July 19 was the most-bet soccer match in DraftKings history with 2 million bets, a 650% increase from 2022, and record handles at Caesars and BetMGM.
How much did high-profile bettors lose on the World Cup?
Drake lost $1.5 million betting on Argentina, while SteveWillDoIt lost $4.37 million.
What is the status of sports betting integrity concerns?
Industry voices warn of an upcoming integrity reckoning in US sports betting, with crackdowns on college prop bets and investigations into NFL personnel.
Which sportsbooks are expanding or facing legal issues?
DraftKings sued Philadelphia over a consumer protection probe, while theScore Bet launched in Alberta and Arizona opened a new licensing window.
What promos are available for MLB and other sports?
Current offers include DraftKings $150 bonus bets, BetMGM $1,500 first-bet safety net, and FanDuel up to $1,000 in bet resets.
How did Polymarket perform during the World Cup?
Polymarket provided the best pricing across all 104 matches with only 2.7% vig.
What betting analysis is available for upcoming events?
Articles cover best bets for ATP Kitzbuhel, UFC Abu Dhabi props and parlays, plus MLB and WNBA odds.
What was the New York sports betting handle recently?
New York reported a 14.2% hold and $66 million in revenue for the week ending July 12, with the monthly total on pace to exceed $2 billion.
World Cup 2026 drove record sportsbook growth – U.S. bettors up 21% above baseline, new depositors surged 179%, DraftKings saw 650% more bets vs 2022. DraftKings Q2 revenue down 5% despite World Cup volume – customer-friendly outcomes and promo costs hit profits; Prediction markets pivot: 600K users, $11B volume, DK Exchange live; CEO Robins says rivals 'spinning narratives'. FanDuel's Jackson exits with rebound forecast – FanDuel Predicts trailing Kalshi/DraftKings, $50M revenue vs $200M expense, 65% stock drop. Circa Sports secures Arizona license (7th state). Maryland gaming revenue hit record $1.6B (lottery, casinos, sports betting). Other news: Federal judge allows Utah to enforce gambling ban against Kalshi sports contracts; FanDuel/CME joint venture shift; MLB trade deadline recap; NFL betting countdown; ATP Montreal picks; Wyndham Championship longshot picks; +441 parlay for Thursday; FanDuel $1,000 bet reset; bet365 $10 get $150; Bettor wins $800K via kiosk parlays, Caesars voids tickets; MLB parlay for Aug 7; NRFI picks for Aug 6; WNBA parlay for Aug 6; WNBA best bets for Aug 7-8 on DraftKings. New: FanDuel promo code offering up to $1,000 in Bet Reset Tokens for White Sox-Guardians, MLB, WNBA on Friday. New: FanDuel promo code for Saturday baseball with $1,000 Bet Reset + prediction offer. New: Guardians-White Sox same-game parlay centered on Gavin Williams' historic strikeout streak. New: Florida bettor turns $15 MLB parlay into nearly $150,000 at Hard Rock Bet. New: MLB home run props for Aug 8 (Baldwin, Suzuki, Castro). New: WNBA parlay Aug 8 (Howard/Engstler assists under). New: A's vs Red Sox under 9 pick. New: DraftKings prediction markets discipline article. New: Hard Rock Bet promo code $150 bonus bets for Guardians-White Sox. New: Twins vs. Brewers same-game parlay (Misiorowski strikeouts, under) – timely MLB betting content. New: Iowa Corn 350 NASCAR betting guide – useful for sports betting audience. New: Article on sports betting/marijuana growth (low signal, noted $166B figure). New: New York Giants 2026 season betting preview – detailed analysis for NFL bettors. New: Twins vs Brewers full odds/picks and hits & runs props – additional angles for today's game.