Pacers shock OKC in Game 1 of NBA Finals

Welcome to iGB’s State of the Union, where we delve into the most impactful North American sports betting narratives of the week, alongside insights on noteworthy developments within the industry.

McCullers Overcomes Adversity for First Win Since 2022

Since his pivotal role in securing the Houston Astros a historic 18-inning victory during the 2022 MLB postseason, Lance McCullers Jr. has faced significant challenges in what has been one of the most difficult periods of his professional career.

After contending with a muscle strain and a bone spur in his pitching arm, McCullers experienced a prolonged hiatus of 915 days before returning to the mound this May. In his second start back, he grappled with command issues, only lasting one-third of an inning in a 13-9 loss against the Reds, where he surrendered seven runs and faced 15 batters in the frame.

Later that month, McCullers disclosed alarming threats received via social media, which included menacing messages directed toward his children. A bettor, reportedly under the influence, threatened harm, prompting McCullers to hire 24-hour security for his family’s protection. While no formal charges have been filed, the responsible individual issued an apology to McCullers’ family, as reported by ESPN.

“I understand the passion that fans have for their sports teams, but threats to my family are particularly distressing,” McCullers stated when addressing the backlash following his May 10 start.

In a remarkable turnaround, McCullers faced Pirates’ rising star Paul Skenes on Tuesday, achieving a 3-0 victory. Over six innings, he only allowed two hits, marking his first win since September 21, 2022. Since addressing the threats, McCullers has maintained an impressive 2.21 ERA, yielding only five earned runs across four starts.

Athletes Across Sports Confront Similar Threats

McCullers’ experience reflects a troubling trend within sports, as several athletes have similarly faced online harassment. After a disappointing loss to the Mets, Red Sox relief pitcher Liam Hendriks shared on Instagram that he had encountered threatening comments, with some wishing harm upon him—a particularly distressing reality given his history as a non-Hodgkin lymphoma survivor.

Meanwhile, FanDuel took action against a bettor who harassed US runner Gabby Thomas at an event in Philadelphia, claiming that taunting Thomas aided in securing a parlay win. FanDuel firmly condemned such abusive behavior, reiterating that harassment and threats have no place in sports.

Thomas, a decorated athlete with three gold medals from the 2024 Paris Olympics, competed in the 100-meter finals last Sunday, finishing behind season-leader Melissa Jefferson-Wooden. In another incident this week, Jessica Pegula, the world’s third-ranked tennis player, voiced her frustrations over online harassment following a shocking defeat at the French Open.

Commenting on her experience, Pegula remarked, “Bettors are exhibiting insane and delusional behavior. While I typically brush this off, I wonder if other sports face this level of harassment.”

Pacers Dramatically Shift Odds After Stunning Comeback

In an unexpected turn of events during their journey to the NBA Finals, the Indiana Pacers experienced significant delays due to severe weather, diverting their flight to Tulsa before resuming their travel to Oklahoma City.

Despite the challenges, the Pacers staged a dramatic late-game comeback against the Thunder, overcoming a 15-point deficit. Tyrese Haliburton clinched a 111-110 victory with a clutch 21-foot jumper, securing the Pacers’ first lead of the contest.

Entering the playoffs as a 60/1 underdog, the Pacers shocked experts by defeating top-seed Cleveland in five games and outperforming expectations against the Knicks in the conference finals.

Prior to their victory, the Pacers were 13-1 underdogs at FanaticsBet when down by eight points with only 3:30 left in the fourth quarter, illustrating the unpredictable nature of sports betting.

Thunder Installed as Heavy Favorites

As the NBA Finals commenced, the Oklahoma City Thunder emerged as significant favorites with a -700 line at FanDuel, poised to secure their first championship. Led by NBA MVP Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the Thunder boast one of the highest winning percentages in league history.

Curiously, during the playoffs, only 1.38% of bets were placed on the Pacers, with even lower interest recorded for the Pistons, who witnessed a dismal season with only 14 wins in 2024.

The Thunder’s odds of -700 reflect a historic favoritism in the NBA Finals; per BetMGM’s John Ewing, few teams since 1985 have entered the finals with such overwhelming odds. The 2001 Lakers are noted as the largest favorites in the past three decades at -2000.

Following their first game win, the Pacers saw their series odds shift to +265 at FanDuel, while the Thunder remain dominant favorites heading into Game 2 by a wide margin of 11 points.

New Jersey Legislates to Prohibit University Sports Betting Partnerships

A significant legislative development in New Jersey aims to curb partnerships between sports betting operators and state public universities. The proposed bill, sponsored by Senators Joe Cryan and John McKeon, seeks to address the increasing prevalence of sports betting among college students and its potential long-term repercussions.

The bill, which passed the Senate with unanimous support, prohibits contractual agreements between sports betting companies and public institutions, including their athletic departments. This extends to banning partnerships that facilitate advertising or promotional initiatives within universities.

New Jersey already enforces wagering restrictions on collegiate events held within state lines, disallowing betting on significant events such as the NCAA East Regional earlier this year.

Meanwhile, Louisiana is reviewing a bill that aims to allocate a portion of increased sports betting taxes to support athletic programs at public universities, showcasing a broader trend towards responsible gambling legislation.

Senate Schedules Hearing for Quintenz Nomination

For the first time, the US Senate will hold a nomination hearing for Brian Quintenz, President Trump’s appointee to lead the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC). Set for June 10, this hearing is crucial in determining the trajectory of prediction markets and their potential impacts on the sports betting landscape.

Industry lobbyists express concern that the expansion of prediction markets could pose significant challenges for the existing online gambling framework. MGM Resorts CEO Bill Hornbuckle has emphasized the importance of careful regulatory navigation to avoid paving the way for detrimental federal regulations.

Quintenz, a former CFTC commissioner, will resign from his current role at Kalshi upon confirmation, as discussions continue regarding the future leadership dynamics at the agency after recent turnovers.

In Case You Missed It on iGB

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• Illinois Lawmakers Enact Another Sports Betting Tax Increase—How Will Major Sportsbooks Respond?

“We’ve inadvertently handed a significant advantage to the illegal market,” states SBA President @JKudon regarding the new Illinois sports betting tax.

— Sports Betting Alliance (@SBAllianceUS) June 6, 2025

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