Each week, our “What’s on Tap” series previews the week ahead in the world of sports betting. Come here for a summary of upcoming financial happenings, legislative and regulatory meetings, industry conferences, top games scheduled for the week, and much more.

Bronny James struggled mightily in his NBA Summer League debut, finishing 0-for-8 from 3-point range in a loss to Houston. Bronny, the son of LeBron James, returns to the court on Monday when the Lakers take on the Celtics. James is viewed as a distant longshot to win NBA Rookie of the Year honors.

Two others, though, have been impressive so far in Las Vegas. Rockets guard Reed Sheppard led Houston with 23 points in the victory over the Lakers. Sheppard showed that athleticism is in his bloodlines, drawing comparisons with his father Jeff, a former NBA player. Still, he is not the favorite for Rookie of the Year at ESPN BET.

Former Purdue center Zach Edey is the co-favorite with Wizards center Alexandre Sarr (+600). Edey, a center with the Grizzlies, recorded a double-double last week against the Jazz.

For Monday night’s Home Run Derby, Major League Baseball will offer a new format this year. In the first two rounds, batters will either face 40 pitches, or a full allotment of three minutes to complete the round. For the finals, batters will either face 27 pitches, or two minutes to finish the plate appearance. Last year, Julio Rodriguez set the contest record for homers in a single round with 41.

Mets first baseman Pete Alonso is the slight favorite at FanDuel, with odds of +300. He is followed by Marcell Ozuna and Gunnar Henderson at +380 and +430 respectively. Alonso won the contest in 2019 and 2021. Henderson, the 2023 American League Rookie of the Year, has 28 home runs this season.

Pete Alonso is the only ex-winner in the field

Jose Ramirez would be the first switch-hitter to win

Gunnar Henderson (28 HRs) has the most homers in the field

Full odds to win the HR Derby https://t.co/2qnAX7OLxM

— NorthStar Bets Sportsbook (@NorthStarBet) July 15, 2024

A contingent of responsible gambling experts will converge in San Diego this week, for one of the nation’s largest conferences on the subject. The National Conference on Gambling Addiction & Responsible Gambling begins on Wednesday with a packed schedule. The highlight of Wednesday’s agenda will be a lengthy afternoon session on safe practices in sports betting.

The summit will delve into the decision-making process that leading professional leagues and regulators encounter when devising best practices for responsible gambling. Among the experts scheduled to appear at the summit include: David Highhill and Sabrina Perel of the NFL, Massachusetts Gaming Commission Chair Jordan Maynard, and National Council on Problem Gambling Executive Director Keith Whyte. The conference will last for three days.

Some of the experts at the aforementioned conference will then travel cross-country for another prominent industry event. The National Council of Legislators From Gaming States will host a four-day summer conference, starting on Wednesday in Pittsburgh.

Two well-known sports bettors, Billy Walters and Gadoon “Spanky,” Kyrollos are scheduled to speak at the event. The conference will feature panels on federalism, tribal gaming, and safeguards for college athletes, among others.

At Sunday’s Scottish Open, Robert MacIntyre drained a clutch birdie on 18 to defeat Adam Scott by one shot. With the victory on home soil, MacIntryre seized momentum heading into this week’s British Open.

The year’s final major begins on Thursday at Royal Troon. MacIntyre enters the Open Championships with odds of 30/1 at SuperBook Sports. The three prior majors this year have been relatively chalky. Scottie Scheffler, the Masters’ champion, opened as the favorite at 5/1. Xander Schauffele and Bryson DeChambeau are also among the favorites. Schauffele won his first career major at this year’s PGA Championship, while DeChambeau captured the U.S. Open at Pinehurst No. 2.

Schauffele has odds of 14/1 at the SuperBook, just ahead of DeChambeau (16/1).

S Scheffler 5/1
R McIlroy 8/1
L Aberg 12/1
X Schauffele 14/1
B DeChambeau, C Morikawa 16/1
J Rahm, V Hovland, T Fleetwood 25/1
T Hatton, R MacIntyre 30/1
B Koepka 35/1
C Smith, S Lowry 40/1
C Young, H Matsuyama, P Cantlay, T Kim, S Theegala 50/1
T Woods 300/1

— Jeff Sherman (@golfodds) July 14, 2024