Summer Scratch

What is Summer Scratch?

“We have this one game in front of our face, and we’re focused on that,” Kubiak said.

When asked about the Chargers—one of several teams, alongside the Dallas Cowboys and Denver Broncos, seeking to bounce back from a Week 1 upset to avoid an 0-2 start—Kubiak brushed off the narrative during his brief news conference.

That same single-game focus applies to the Raiders, with reporters pressing Kubiak on potential overconfidence following a 27-13 home win over the Miami Dolphins.

About Summer Scratch

Two Illinois men accused of ripping cash boxes and ATMs from gaming venues have been arrested amid a statewide wave of burglaries targeting video gambling machines.

Reese A. Heckman, 34, of Decatur, and Travis R. Ziemer, 28, of Macon, face charges in a series of break-ins targeting gaming parlors, bars, and other businesses across Central Illinois, according to court documents reported by the Herald & Review.

The methods allegedly used by the duo mirror those employed by organized crews in a wave of burglaries targeting gaming establishments across the state, particularly in the Chicago suburbs.

About Summer Scratch

Beynon says sports betting companies have suffered particularly badly because the market is questioning both future earnings and the size of the eventual opportunity. More iGaming-focused companies such as Rush Street Interactive and Super Group have generally performed better operationally, helped by stronger earnings growth and profitability.

The lesson is simple: gambling still attracts capital when the money is visible. It is less attractive when the payoff lies far in the distance.

The biggest new uncertainty in US sports betting is prediction markets. The American Gaming Association estimates that Americans will legally wager $29.5 billion in betting handle through US regulated commercial sportsbooks during the 2026 NFL season, broadly unchanged from the $29.4 billion handle recorded in 2025. These figures refer to the amount wagered, not sportsbook revenue.