Nevada Sportsbooks Receive State Approval to Offer NFL Draft Odds

Posted on: March 27, 2018, 05:00h. 

Last updated on: March 27, 2018, 01:34h.

Casino.org Staff Writer Read More
Expertise: Commercial Gaming.

Nevada sportsbooks will once again be permitted to offer odds on the NFL Draft.

Nevada sportsbooks NFL Draft odds
USC’s Sam Darnold or Penn State’s Saquon Barkley? Nevada sportsbooks can ask bettors which college star will go first in the NFL Draft. (Image: Sporting News/Getty)

On Monday, the Nevada Gaming Control Board (GCB) signed off on 32 different types of wagers for the 2018 NFL Draft. The three-day event will run April 26-28 at AT&T Stadium, aka “Jerry World,” the home of the Dallas Cowboys.

ESPN’s David Purdum, who covers all things gambling for the sports network, says the total number of potential bets is nearly double what was permitted a year ago.

A few notable additions include betting whether one player will go before another, with odds factored in to determine payouts. Oddsmakers can also assign handicaps to players and match them up against those who should presumably go before them in an offering that’s similar to a game’s point spread.

Gamblers can bet on whether more offensive or defensive players will be drafted in the first and second round. Over/unders on the number of quarterbacks or running backs drafted in a specific round are also being afforded to oddsmakers.   

2017 marked the first time Nevada sportsbooks were allowed to take bets on the outcome of the NFL Draft. Oddsmakers were pleasantly surprised by the interest, prompting them to once again petition the GCB for 2018 permission.

2018 NFL Draft Odds

All eyes remain on the Cleveland Browns, the team that went winless last year and holds the #1 and #5 picks.

No position is more important in the NFL than that of quarterback. That’s why a QB has been selected first in seven of the last 10 drafts.

USC QB Sam Darnold is the consensus favorite. His line at Topbet, an online sportsbook, is currently at 2/5, implying odds of around 71 percent that he’ll go first. A correct $100 wager nets the gambler just $40.

However, there’s many who believe Penn State running back Saquon Barkley is worthy of the top spot. He’s currently at 11/5 (implied odds 31.25 percent). A $100 bet and Barkley going #1 nets $220.

After Donald and Barkley, the sportsbook has Wyoming QB Josh Allen at 8/1, UCLA QB Josh Rosen (9/1), and NC State defensive end Bradley Chubb rounding out the top five at 12/1.

Draft in Sin City?

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell remains opposed to sports betting, but that’s a topic that’s in the hands of the US Supreme Court, which will soon deliver its opinion on the current federal ban’s merits.

The league executive was against allowing the Oakland Raiders to relocate to Las Vegas for the 2020 season due to the city’s widespread sports betting. Goodell was overruled, however, with owners voting 31-1 in favor of the relocation.

Las Vegas is now thought to be one of five remaining candidate cities to host the 2019 or 2020 NFL Draft. New York City was the host from 1965 until 2014. Chicago hosted in 2015 and 2016, and Philly had the honors last year.

Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis sits on the NFL’s Super Bowl and Major Events Advisory Committee, a panel that advises owners where the big game and Draft should be held. The 2019 and 2020 sites will be decided at a future owners’ meeting.