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5-at-10: Friday mailbag on Tennessee sports betting around the corner, Toronto’s game 1 win, spelling bee reactions, your top 5 albums, hate mail

FILE - This March 8, 2019, file photo shows giants video screens inside the sports betting lounge at the Tropicana casino in Atlantic City N.J. Most of the states that moved quickly to legalize sports betting after a Supreme Court decision last year are still waiting for the expected payoff. Only New Jersey and Delaware saw the tax revenue to their state budgets meet projections. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File) FILE - This March 8, 2019, file photo shows giants video screens inside the sports betting lounge at the Tropicana casino in Atlantic City N.J. Most of the states that moved quickly to legalize sports betting after a Supreme Court decision last year are still waiting for the expected payoff. Only New Jersey and Delaware saw the tax revenue to their state budgets meet projections. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry, File)

By Jay Greeson May 31, 2019 7 min read

From David

What’s the latest on sports wagering bill in Tennessee? Do you think it will be available here before September?

Thanks, love your show.

David –

Tennessee’s house legalized sports gambling earlier this month.

Online gambling with sports betting will be legal in the state of Tennessee on July 1 when the new year starts in the eyes of the state.

The state, remember, passed online betting only, no buildings as in kiosks or casinos as of yet.

Also, and I’ve been meaning to write about this, Tennessee’s decisive action proved to be quite wise.

You can be like Stewie and disagree with allowing legalized sports betting, and I understand that view. Heck, I had a gambling problem at one point in my life.

But in terms of policy making, it looks like the folks in Nashville did a lot of things right.

Take for example the tug of war that is happening in Ohio right now as multiple agencies and lobbying groups are trying to get their hand in the sports betting cookie jar.

https://www.toledoblade.com/local/politics/2019/05/30/lawmakers-edging-to-get-a-handle-on-sports-betting-bills/stories/20190530121

From several of you (paraphrased)

Thoughts on Game 1 of the NBA?

And from Terry

Man you need to stick to pick football!!! You know nothing about basketball.

Gang –

Game 1 thoughts:

Pascal Siakam was awesome. AWE-some. It’s hard to believe that he has another one of those – 14-of-17, including 11 straight makes, eight boards and five assists – in his system in this series.

As great as Siakam was, it was quite telling that Kawhi’s +/- was still seven points better (+11 to +4 for Pascal) despite Kawhi’s shooting struggles.

Draymond Green got the ugliest triple double I’ve ever seen, with 10-10-10 and six assists and shooting 2-of-9.

And know this, the biggest winner of the night was Kevin Durant, who certainly was watching this one thinking, “Yeah, where are all of those ‘Warriors are better without KD’ knuckleheads now?”

And KD is right. Because when you get to a game like this and every possession is contested, well, you need Durant’s ability to create his own shot at any point.

I was entertained watching the game and was rooting for the Raptors because I want this to be a complete series.

And Terry, thanks.