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TheLines.com: Travon Walker the favorite to go No. 1 in NFL Draft

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Georgia standout Travon Walker has claimed favorite status ahead of Thursday’s first round, passing Michigan star defensive end Aidan Hutchinson as oddsmakers’ consensus favorite to be the first overall pick in this week’s NFL Draft, according to TheLines, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market.

Walker’s stock has risen dramatically in the three months since he and the Georgia Bulldogs won the National Championship. The edge rusher moved to minus money over the weekend and is now listed at -175 to be the first overall pick on Thursday, according to a consensus of the nation’s largest legal online sportsbooks — including DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, BetRivers, Caesars, and PointsBet. That means a bettor will win $75 for every $100 wagered if Walker is selected with the first overall pick, which is held by the Jacksonville Jaguars. To further illustrate his rise, BetMGM originally opened Walker at +3500 to be the first pick.

Hutchinson has slipped to plus money at a consensus +140 to be the top pick. He’s followed by North Carolina State offensive lineman Ikem Ekwonu (+850), Alabama offensive lineman Evan Neal (+1600) and Oregon edge rusher Keyvon Thibodeaux (+2300).

While NFL Draft bettors have plenty of information at their hands in terms of college performance, NFL Combine results, Pro Day performances and more, selections are still largely based on educated speculation. Adding to the process is discerning which information to trust as NFL teams are known to hold picks close to the vest and generate smokescreens.

There’s no shortage of mock drafts and other tools of analysis available for bettors. And those with bona fide NFL insider credentials can have an influence. It’s not a complete coincidence that Walker rose to favorite status over the weekend after Sports Illustrated’s Peter King released his mock draft on Sunday. Walker was plus money at the time.

“While the media and other public information can influence line movement, bettors can also use that information to identify good values,” said Brett Collison, lead analyst for TheLines. “For example, the value on Hutchinson and Walker has fluctuated but there’s nothing to suggest the Jaguars won’t pick a top offensive lineman to help protect quarterback Trevor Lawrence, last year’s No. 1 pick. Action on Ekwonu or Neal provides great value at that point. Of course, the unknown of the draft is teams trading to change their draft position.”

Bettors don’t have to focus solely on draft position. Sportsbooks offer a number of other odds related to the draft. Liberty quarterback Malik Willis is a consensus +5000 to be the first overall selection. But he’s -150 when it comes to being the first quarterback selected.

Another line available is the number of quarterbacks drafted in the first round. DraftKings has set the number at 2.5 with the over at -250 and under at +190.

A quarterback has been selected first overall in the last four drafts, but that seems unlikely this year as long as Jacksonville holds the first pick.

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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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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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