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FanDuel for now is the equivalent of a Philadelphia area bookmaker
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FanDuel line on Eagles was -1 compared to -2.5 at 85% of offshore books
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Eagles bets were 60% across the board and FanDuel was likely seeing a larger margin
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Houston banged up badly coming into this one
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A look at the Texans-Eagles game line at FanDuel gives us a good look at their opinion on the outcome of this game knowing that action will be heavily skewed towards Philadelphia.
Currently, FanDuel only takes bets online inside the state of New Jersey. A good chunk of Central and Southern NJ bettors will be supporting the Eagles no matter how good or bad they might be and regardless of the line. Not to mention, many folks from Philly and Eastern PA will be crossing the border to place bets via the FanDuel app (available only when physically located in NJ). Obviously, the easy way would be to just stay home and place a bet with internationally-licensed BetDSI (in business 21 years now), and you don't even have to provide your social security number or pay a state tax.
BetDSI though isn't offering the Eagles at -1 as FanDuel is. And one has to ask themselves, why the hell would what is the equivalent of a Philadelphia bookmaker be offering such a generous line on the home team Eagles? It's because they obviously believe Houston will cover.
BetDSI and the other offshores are offering Philadelphia at -2.5 and no lower than -2. Around 85% of the offshore books had the number at -2.5 Saturday night.
We would note that Westgate in Vegas had the Eagles at -1.5 overnight Saturday.
Across the board the Eagles were seeing close to 60% of the action. In Philadelphia and New Jersey we suspect that percentage is closer to 65%.
The sharp books are mostly sticking to -2.5.
One does need to exercise caution here as Houston will be without their top rusher. Running back Lamar Miller, wide receiver Keke Coutee and nose tackle Brandon Dunn did not travel with the Texans to Philadelphia and have been ruled out for Sunday's game, the team announced.
Even without the injury considerations, Sagarin indicates the Eagles should have been a -2.5 favorite.
It could just be that FanDuel is trying to be more competitive in this market and encouraging folks from Eastern PA to cross the border into New Jersey. Or it could just be that they don't really know what they are doing yet.
*Be advised the FanDuel app requires customers to provide their full social security number - You MUST claim sports betting wins on your tax forms. Betting in person? Most books are now installing DHS facial recognition which assists in collecting and verifying your personal information
**State taxes may apply
***While internationally licensed online sports betting sites do not report winnings to tax authorities, sports bettors are still encouraged to declare winnings on their federal tax returns.
- Mary Montgomery, Gambling911.com
