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HISTORIC DIVISIONAL WEEKEND ON TAP FOR NFL PLAYOFFS Opening odds for NFL’s Divisional Weekend show one the closest combined point spreads in the history of the playoffs, according to TheLines

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Four NFL Playoff games this weekend feature four of the closest matchups in NFL history, according to analysts TheLines, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market.

This year’s Divisional Weekend shows a combined opening point spread of just 14 points in the four games, according to a consensus of that nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet. Historical data shows that the lowest combined points for the four-game Divisional Weekend came in 1971 when the four games featured combined odds of 13.5 points.

To put the number in perspective, the average combined point spread for the Divisional Weekend for the past 15 years is 27 points, and the lowest combined point spread in that 15-year span was 21 points last season. The opening odds for this weekend show a sharp contrast coming off the Wild Card Weekend in which five of the six favorites won outright with four of them winning in double-digit blowouts.

The Cincinnati Bengals will play at the Tennessee Titans on Saturday to open the action and the Titans opened as a consensus 3.5-point favorite. The Bengals’ win over the Las Vegas Raiders last weekend marked the first playoff victory in 31 years for the franchise.

The Saturday evening matchup features the Green Bay Packers playing host to the San Francisco 49ers, who were the only underdog to cover and win outright in the Wild Card Weekend. The Packers, who own home-field advantage on the NFC side of the playoffs, had a bye last weekend. And several of their stars — including MVP frontrunner Aaron Rodgers — saw limited action in Week 18, so Green Bay should be well rested.

Sunday opens with the Los Angeles Rams traveling to face the defending Super Bowl Champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Both teams are coming off blowout victories last weekend and oddsmakers have installed the Bucs as 2.5-point favorites to open the week.

The final game of the weekend is perhaps the most anticipated matchup as the Buffalo Bills travel to play the Kansas City Chiefs, with the Chiefs sitting as a 2.5-point favorite. The game features the highest over/under total of the weekend at 55 points.

“All four of these games have the potential to be classic NFL Playoff games and we expect to see bettors pay significant attention to this weekend,” said Brett Collson

lead analyst for TheLines.com. “The home team is the favorite in all four games, but the relatively narrow lines show just how tight these matchups could be.”

The current odds for each playoff team to win Super Bowl LVI as of Tuesday, Jan. 18 (with preseason odds):

  • Green Bay Packers +375 (+1400)
  • Kansas City Chiefs +400 (+500)
  • Buffalo Bills +500 (+1150)
  • Tampa Bay Buccaneers +550 (+650)
  • Los Angeles Rams +750 (+1500)
  • Tennessee Titans +750 (+3000)
  • San Francisco 49ers +1000 (+1400)
  • Cincinnati Bengals +1200 (+15000)

The consensus point spreads for the Divisional Weekend, as of Tuesday, Jan. 18:

  • Cincinnati Bengals and Tennessee Titans (-3.5); over/under 47
  • San Francisco 49ers at Green Bay Packers (-5.5); over/under 47.5
  • Los Angeles Rams at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-2.5); over/under 48.5
  • Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5); over/under 55

To access updated NFL playoff lines and Super Bowl odds, and for more analysis, visit TheLines.com/odds/nfl-playoffs.

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Betty

Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership

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Independent slots studio Thunderkick has agreed a deal with Ontario-based operator Betty to supply the rapidly growing online casino with a diverse collection of globally popular titles.

Betty, an official partner of sporting franchises Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors, has risen to prominence since its 2022 establishment, when it was built following the consultation of 300 casino players to create the optimal iGaming environment.

Distinguishing itself from North American competitors by catering specifically to slot enthusiasts rather than sports bettors, the operator has curated a portfolio of 2,800 games, hand-picked to deliver customers maximum entertainment value.

Thunderkick’s content is the latest to be integrated into Betty’s online casino, and the agreement will see a selection of its most popular titles, including The Wildos 2, Midas Golden Touch 3, and Esqueleto Explosivo 3, made available to a greater number of Ontarian players.

Thunderkick marked its debut in the Canadian province in Q2 of 2024, and has since partnered with a network of leading operators to improve its market position. The collaboration with Betty will further amplify its visibility in a key jurisdiction as the provider looks to reinforce its reputation as a global slot developer.

Svante Sahlström, CCO at Thunderkick, said: “It’s our mission at Thunderkick to go deeper, not wider, in 2025. That means forging meaningful, lasting relationships in target markets as opposed to securing as many commercial deals as possible.

“Since entering Ontario over 12 months ago, we have worked tirelessly to enhance our presence in the province, and working with leading brands such as Betty allows us to bring our unique games to a deeper pool of Canadian players.”

Paraskeva Smirnova, Casino Operations Manager at Betty, added: “Betty’s USP has always been our drive to build a slot portfolio with the very best titles from the industry’s most creative suppliers.

“Thunderkick’s passion for slot development is there for all to see, and the introduction of its games to our casino further elevates the consumer experience.”

The post Thunderkick commits to growth in Ontario with Betty partnership appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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BCLC

Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026

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BCLC is pleased to announce the return of the New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference, taking place November 2–4, 2026, at the JW Marriott Parq Vancouver.

This global event brings leading voices in research, policy and industry together to explore innovative approaches to safer gambling. Attendees can expect two days of forward-thinking dialogue, evidence-based insights and collaborative solutions to help shape the future of player health.

Sponsorship Opportunities Now Available

New to the 2026 conference, BCLC is excited to offer sponsorship opportunities to organizations that share BCLC’s passion for safer gambling. Benefits of sponsoring New Horizons 2026 include industry visibility, leadership recognition and meaningful engagement with a global audience. To learn more about sponsorship, please e-mail [email protected].

Registration and program details will be released later this fall.

The post Save the Date: BCLC’s New Horizons in Safer Gambling Conference Returns November 2026 appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario

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Internet Gaming Operator by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO).

This significant milestone authorizes absolutebet to offer regulated iGaming services in Ontario’s legal market under the oversight of AGCO and iGaming Ontario (iGO).

The registration marks a key step in absolutebet’s mission to bring a trusted, responsible, and innovative online casino experience to Ontario players. absolutebet is committed to operating with integrity and transparency, meeting all provincial standards for player protection, responsible gambling, anti-money laundering, and game integrity.

Securing AGCO registration is more than a milestoneit’s the start of absolutebet’s journey in one of the most exciting regulated markets in the world,” said Chen Truman, Founder of absolutebet. “We are building a brand that will grow with the Ontario community and set the stage for future expansion.”

On the regulatory milestone, Krisztina Kalla, Legal & Regulatory Compliance Advisor of absolutebet, commented: “I’m incredibly proud to see all the hard work behind this license pay off. Securing AGCO registration has taken months of preparation and close collaboration with regulators and partners. I am very happy to see the result of that work, and even more excited as we move into the launch phase and open up the absolutebet community to Ontario players in a fun and responsible way.”

Ontario is recognized as one of the most competitive and fast-growing regulated iGaming markets in North America. With AGCO registration secured, absolutebet will move forward with the final stages of its iGO onboarding process in preparation for launch.

 

The post absolutebet Secures AGCO Registration as an Internet Gaming Operator in Ontario appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.

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