Even as the NBA playoffs progress, there’s still lots of off-court chatter – and Ontario sports betting props available – involving teams out of the post-season.
In Toronto, the speculation swirls around who the next coach of the Raptors will be. That’s even ahead of speculation on what will happen with free agents Fred VanVleet and Jakob Poeltl. OG Anunoby and Pascal Siakam are entering the final year of their deals.
This could potentially turn out to be a serious season of upheaval in the city that’s home to Toronto online casinos.
Possible Candidates Include Other Recent Champs
The Raptors fired head coach Nick Nurse in April. And Mike Budenholzer was let go last week as coach of the Milwaukee Bucks, so three of the last four NBA champions have parted ways with their head coaches, as ESPN reports. Frank Vogel was fired by the Lakers in April 2022. Steve Kerr of Golden State is the only one of those four left with a job.
So the coaching carousel has hit Toronto, with Budenholzer and Vogel listed as possibilities for the Raptors job.
FanDuel Sportsbook Ontario has updated its odds on who the next Raptors coach will be. Perhaps surprisingly, Budenholzer is decidedly in the second tier of candidates, at +2100 as of Monday morning.
Odds Favorite Would Be Historic Pick
Most interesting is the top odds candidate: Becky Hammon, who spent a decade as an assistant coach under head coach Gregg Popovich with the San Antonio Spurs. She is at +350. She has no NBA head coaching experience, but neither did Nurse when he was hired. She’d be the first woman to be the head coach for an NBA team.
Adrian Griffin is at +380, Kenny Atkinson is at +500, followed by Jerry Stackhouse (+700), Sam Cassell (+1000), Jordi Fernandez (+1400), Vogel (+1600), Budenholzer (+2100), Mitch Johnson (+2100), Charles Lee (+2200), Darko Rajakovic (+2800), Kevin Young (+2900), Chris Quinn (+3400), Mike D’Antoni (+4800), Mark Jackson (+5500) and Stan Van Gundy (+5500).
AGCO Moves Deadline Regarding Ad Standards
The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario has extended the deadline for consultation from stakeholders regarding a proposal to restrict athlete and celebrity participation in internet gaming advertising. The deadline regarding Ontario betting apps was set for today but it was changed to May 15.
Some parties have expressed concern regarding the potential harmful impact on the most vulnerable population and underage persons, via advertising that features celebrities and athletes.
According to the AGCO, the proposed amendment to the Advertising Standards would:
1.Create an obligation for operators and suppliers to cease any advertising and marketing activities that use athletes, whether active or retired, in marketing and advertising (for Ontario online casinos); and,
2.Prohibit the use of cartoon figures, symbols, role models, social media influencers, celebrities or entertainers who are reasonably expected to appeal to minors. This proposed amendment differs from the current standard, which is applicable to persons that “primarily appeal” to minors. Advertising remains a permitted activity, provided other standards are met.
Stakeholders can register for the AGCO’s engagement portal via agco.ca to offer their perspectives and comments.
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