Sports books across Nevada are primed and ready for the 2018 NFL season. At least, that's what William Hill, operator of more than 30 sports books statewide, says.
"We're fired up," comments William Hill Vice President of Marketing Michael Grodsky. "It's gonna be a great year."
The 2018 NFL season begins Thursday night with a matchup between the Philadelphia Eagles and Atlanta Falcons. Grodsky says William Hill has already seen a lot of betting action on that game as well as many of the other week one matchups, but it's not just single game matchups that has sports bettors interested.
"Betting on the win totals and the futures have been very popular as well," he says. "Our favorites right now... are the Patriots to come back and avenge their [Super Bowl] loss last year and win again."
Last year's Super Bowl victors, the Eagles, are second on William Hill's list for winning the whole thing at 17/2 odds.
The sports book also points out that they are seeing a high volume of wagers being placed on the Oakland -- and soon to be Las Vegas -- Raiders. Grodsky chalks the extra interest in the Raiders to local pride similar to what sports books in Nevada saw with Las Vegas' debut season in the NHL.
"I think everybody is excited about the Raiders' team, what they have to bring and feeling a connection to them," he comments. "Hopefully [bettors] can back them in civic pride and make a little money like they did with the Golden Knights last year."
At one point last year, the Golden Knights had 500/1 odds to win the Stanley Cup. The Raiders currently are 15/1 odds to win the Super Bowl according to William Hill.
The 2018 NFL season kicks off Thursday night at 5:20 p.m. with most of the games happening Sunday, Sept. 8, with two Monday Night Football games on Monday, Sept. 9.
