James Murphy
James Murphy

James Murphy is a preeminent authority on the international gambling industry and has made frequent appearances in the mainstream media including the Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Forbes, Entertainment Weekly, CNBC and NPR. He has previously worked as a radio and podcasting host where he broadcast to an international audience that depended on his expertise and advice. Murphy also serves as an odds making consultant for sports and ‘non-sport novelty bets’ covering the entertainment industry, politics, technology, financial markets and just about everything else.

Author's posts:

NBA Betting Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns (Preseason)

The Lakers and Suns remain two of the league’s most high-profile teams, which generates significant preseason betting interest even though neither team treats preseason games as high-priority contests. Books list the Lakers as a -3 favorite, Phoenix at +3, and a total around 220 — but nearly every element of this matchup points toward value […]

NBA Betting Preview: Los Angeles Lakers vs Phoenix Suns (Preseason)

NBA Trend Breakdown: Why Bettors Should Avoid Heavy Preseason Favorites

One of the most common mistakes recreational bettors make every September is backing preseason favorites as if the regular season has begun. A team like the Warriors, Nuggets, Suns, or Bucks might be a playoff powerhouse in November through April, but preseason basketball follows an entirely different logic, and the market often fails to reflect […]

NFL Betting Preview: San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco and Pittsburgh meet in what may be one of the most strategically fascinating Week 1 matchups. The 49ers are listed as a -2.5 road favorite at -110, while Pittsburgh is +2.5, and the total sits around 40.5. On paper, this is a clash of two tough, well-coached, physical teams — exactly the type […]

NFL Betting Preview: San Francisco 49ers at Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Betting Preview: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

Few Week 1 matchups generate the emotion and divisional intensity that Cowboys vs Giants produces. Dallas enters this early NFC East battle as a -3 road favorite at -110, while the Giants sit at +3, and the total is posted at 44. Despite being a short line, this matchup carries multiple layers that bettors need […]

NFL Betting Preview: Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants

NFL Betting Preview: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

The AFC East begins with a heavyweight matchup as Buffalo visits New York. The Bills are listed at Bills -2.5, while the Jets sit at +2.5, and the total holds around 46.5. This game features an elite offense against an elite defense, making the handicap complex. Buffalo’s offense hinges on taking calculated deep shots and […]

NFL Betting Preview: Buffalo Bills at New York Jets

NFL Betting Preview: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

This AFC North matchup immediately creates tension because divisional games in Week 1 rarely behave predictably. Cincinnati opens as a -2.5 favorite at -110, with Cleveland at +2.5 and the total around 47.5. When these teams meet, physicality wins, and September weather in Cleveland can be unpredictable. Cincinnati’s offense remains one of the most explosive […]

NFL Betting Preview: Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns

NFL Betting Preview: Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars

The NFL season kicks off with a matchup that has already generated plenty of attention in the betting markets. The Chiefs come in as a -3.5 road favorite at -110, while Jacksonville sits at +3.5, and the total ranges between 50.5 and 51.5 depending on the book. It’s one of the few Week 1 games […]

NFL Betting Preview: Kansas City Chiefs at Jacksonville Jaguars

MLB Betting Preview: Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners

The Blue Jays and Mariners square off in a matchup that has become increasingly important for AL Wild Card positioning. Seattle opens as a -130 home favorite, Toronto sits at +110, and the total is listed around 7.5 — one of the lower totals of the week, and for good reason. Seattle sends one of […]

MLB Betting Preview: Toronto Blue Jays at Seattle Mariners

MLB Betting Preview: St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers

The Cardinals and Brewers have one of the most competitive rivalries in the NL Central, and their mid-August meeting carries major division implications. Milwaukee enters as a -130 favorite, with St. Louis at +110 and the total set around 8. This matchup highlights contrasting identities — Milwaukee’s pitching and bullpen strength versus St. Louis’ veteran-heavy […]

MLB Betting Preview: St. Louis Cardinals at Milwaukee Brewers

MLB Betting Preview: Houston Astros at Texas Rangers

Whenever the Astros and Rangers meet, the matchup feels bigger than a normal divisional game. The rivalry has tightened over the last few seasons as Texas improved its roster and built a lineup capable of competing with Houston’s star power. This mid-August matchup carries playoff implications, especially in the Wild Card race. Sportsbooks list Houston […]

MLB Betting Preview: Houston Astros at Texas Rangers