Legal Online Sports Betting in the US – 2025 Guide

The Oklahoma City Thunder are entering the 2025-26 NBA season with a target on their backs. After capturing the franchise’s second championship in June, the team now faces the challenge of defending its title in a league that’s reloading fast. At the center of those efforts is Chet Holmgren, the lanky, skilled big man whose growth could determine whether OKC can repeat as champions.

Holmgren’s second season showed promise. His rim protection, perimeter shooting, and basketball IQ were all on display, helping the Thunder evolve into a more complete team. But as the competition stiffens and expectations rise, so too does the pressure on Holmgren to take a leap forward.

Entering his third NBA season, Holmgren is no longer an unknown quantity. Teams have film, they’ve seen his tendencies, and they’ll be game-planning accordingly. For the Thunder to run it back, Holmgren must shift from being a complementary piece to a consistent, high-impact presence on both ends of the floor.

Anchoring the Interior

One of Holmgren’s most important responsibilities will be anchoring the Thunder’s defense. While Shai Gilgeous-Alexander and Jalen Williams carry much of the offensive load, Holmgren can contest shots, alter drives, and switch onto smaller players, which gives Oklahoma City its defensive identity.

Last season, Holmgren averaged just over two blocks per game and made an early case for All-Defensive team consideration. But in key playoff moments, teams exploited his lack of bulk, especially when matched up against more physical bigs. If the Thunder want to maintain their defensive dominance through another deep playoff run, Holmgren has to improve his core strength and post defense.

That doesn't mean becoming a traditional bruiser, but adding enough physicality to avoid being outmuscled by players like Nikola Jokic or Joel Embiid if matchups dictate it. The Thunder are counting on his shot-blocking instincts and mobility, but without improved rebounding and interior resistance, opposing teams could find a soft spot in the paint.

Offensively, Holmgren is already a versatile threat. He shot over 38% from three in his rookie campaign and stretched defenses by consistently knocking down pick-and-pop jumpers. Still, his role as a scorer needs to evolve. The Thunder’s spacing depends on Holmgren being willing and able to take more shots – especially mid-range turnarounds and drives when opponents chase him off the arc. If he can add a reliable short-roll floater or post fadeaway, he becomes a much tougher cover.

The Missing Piece to an Emerging Dynasty

The Thunder’s roster is loaded with young talent. Gilgeous-Alexander is a perennial MVP candidate, Jalen Williams has blossomed into a two-way force, but Holmgren represents the ceiling-raiser. He is the piece that can elevate this team from great to dominant.

In the NBA, sustaining success is harder than achieving it. Health, chemistry, and continued player growth are all required. Holmgren is healthy now, but the Thunder need him to handle the physical toll of an 82-game season and deep playoff battles. The team has been strategic in managing his minutes and matchups, but at some point, Holmgren will need to prove he can carry a heavier load.

He also has to become a more vocal leader. Gilgeous-Alexander sets the tone with his poise, but Holmgren’s understanding of defensive coverages and offensive spacing puts him in a natural leadership position. The next step is asserting that voice on the floor, calling out rotations, demanding the ball in key moments, and holding teammates accountable.

Holmgren’s development isn’t just a subplot to Oklahoma City’s season. It’s the storyline. And how far he goes this year could define not just this team’s future, but the next era of the NBA.

In a landmark signing, the Colorado Rapids have secured the services of promising Australian center-back Lucas Herrington. The club confirmed today, August 13, 2025, that Herrington has inked a four‑year contract through the 2029 season, with club options extending into 2030. The deal will become effective following the transfer of his International Transfer Certificate and completion of visa requirements, with Herrington set to arrive in Colorado in January 2026.

At just 18 years old, Herrington already boasts impressive credentials. Born July 5, 2007, in Brisbane, Queensland, he progressed through local youth setups – including Taringa Rovers, Toowong FC, and Brisbane City FC – before entering the Brisbane Roar academy in 2019. His rise accelerated in September 2024 when he signed a three‑year A-League scholarship with Brisbane Roar and soon made his professional debut on December 14, 2024, in a match against Western Sydney Wanderers.

During the 2024–2025 A‑League season, Herrington made 17 appearances and found the back of the net once. Herrington has also stood out on the international stage. As a key member of Australia’s youth squads, he contributed to the U‑19 team’s third‑place finish in the 2024 ASEAN U‑19 Boys Championship and played a vital part in Australia’s triumphant 2025 AFC U‑20 Asian Cup campaign.

A Vote of Confidence in Future Potential

Colorado Rapids Sporting Director Fran Taylor lauded the young defender’s attributes: “Lucas is a talented young center back with great size, athleticism, and composure beyond his years. He’s already shown he can compete at the senior level, and we’re excited to bring him into an environment where he can continue to grow and develop with us”.

Brisbane Roar has secured a club‑record transfer fee for the teenager. Roar coach Michael Valkanis echoed the sentiment, underscoring the special nature of Herrington’s progression from academy prospect to professional transfer: “To have come through the academy from under‑13s makes it even more special,” said Herrington himself, reflecting on his journey.

This signing reinforces Colorado Rapids’ growing reputation as a club that develops and nurtures young talent before exporting them abroad. Observers note that Herrington had piqued the interest of several European clubs, yet opted for the Rapids’ clearly defined development plan and pathway to first-team football.

Looking Ahead

The move aligns Colorado with established trends of cultivating promising defenders – such as Auston Trusty, Cole Bassett, and Sam Vines – who have emerged from the Rapids system and drawn attention overseas.

Herrington will finish his commitments with Brisbane Roar through the first half of the 2025–26 Australian season before heading to Major League Soccer. His arrival in January 2026 promises to inject fresh energy and international youth pedigree into Colorado’s backline – adding to a roster already rich in defensive options.

For the Rapids, this is more than just a transfer; it's a strategic investment in the club’s future identity as a hub of young talent capable of thriving on both domestic and international stages.

ESPN Bet, owned by PENN Entertainment, has made adjustments to its minimum betting limit in Illinois, increasing it to $1 from only 10 cents in response to the per-bet taxation in the state. The tax charges sports books 25 to 50 cents for each bet, which has prompted operators to levy a transaction charge.

The floor for online sports wagering in Illinois continues to rise. ESPN Bet, owned by PENN Entertainment, has increased its minimum bet in the state to $1, up from just 10 cents. The change took effect on August 8, according to the sportsbook's house rules, and was confirmed by an ESPN Bet spokesperson. The move aligns the operator with other major sportsbooks that have adjusted their wagering structures to offset Illinois' new per-bet tax.

A tax changing the playing field

The per-bet tax, enacted by Illinois lawmakers and effective since July, requires online sportsbooks to pay 25 cents per wager for their first 20 million bets each year. Beyond that threshold, the rate doubles to 50 cents per bet. While seemingly modest in isolation, the levy can add up quickly in a high-volume market like Illinois, prompting operators to reassess how they handle small wagers.

Several of ESPN Bet's competitors - including FanDuel, DraftKings, and Fanatics - have opted to pass the cost directly to customers through a 'transaction fee' of 25 or 50 cents per bet. Others, such as BetMGM, BetRivers, and Hard Rock Bet, have followed a path similar to ESPN Bet, raising minimum bet requirements instead of imposing fees.

Customer impact and competitive dynamics

These differing strategies have introduced new variables into Illinois' sports betting market. Some bettors may prefer paying a small fee on occasional low-stakes bets, while others could gravitate toward sportsbooks with higher minimums but no added charges. This creates an environment in which operators can differentiate themselves not just through promotions or odds, but also through how they handle regulatory costs.

ESPN Bet's $1 minimum could be particularly appealing to bettors who dislike seeing transaction fees deducted from their potential winnings. For the operator, the change comes ahead of football season - a critical time for acquiring customers and capturing market share.

While the increase in minimum wager might appear significant, industry data suggests it may have little impact on most users. Analytics from bet-tracking app Juice Reel, shared with investment bank Citizens, indicate that in June, the average single wager in the US was $41, while average parlay bets came in at $19. If those figures hold true for Illinois, many players are already wagering far above the new $1 threshold.

Financial stakes for PENN Entertainment

The move also ties into broader financial pressures for ESPN Bet's parent company, PENN Entertainment. PENN's high-profile partnership with ESPN came at a substantial cost, and the company faces scrutiny to deliver profitability in its interactive division.

"As I said on our Q1 call, we are nearing an inflection point with our digital business, and we anticipate each quarter of 2025 delivering a lower loss sequentially throughout the year, and our interactive division to be profitable in the fourth quarter of 2025 and the full year of 2026, and beyond," Chief Executive Officer Jay Snowden said during last week's earnings call. "The significant investments in interactive are undoubtedly behind us."

The Illinois minimum bet change could help PENN avoid alienating customers with new fees while still addressing the cost impact of the tax. With football season around the corner, the timing may also give the brand an edge in what's expected to be a fiercely competitive period.

Lingering questions over fee revenue

One unresolved issue in Illinois' new sports betting landscape is whether revenue from transaction fees - for those operators choosing that route - will be subject to state taxation. The Illinois Gaming Board has indicated that such revenue will be taxable, though some operators have reportedly taken a different view.

As the market adjusts to the per-bet tax, sportsbooks like ESPN Bet will be watching both customer reactions and competitor moves closely. The new wagering rules could be a temporary adjustment - or they might become a lasting feature of Illinois' sports betting environment.