As legalized sports gambling has quickly spread across America, the U.S. PGA Tour has been one of the most eager professional sports leagues to dive into the action. According to a recent interview, their efforts will start paying off very soon, with a tease roll out of golf gambling in 2020.
In an interview with Agence France-Presse (AFP) Commissioner Jay Monahan announced a planned 2020 roll out, saying “You’ll start to see product in the market place next year.” It’s not just about a new revenue stream, but building and maintain interest in a long day of golfing. “It’s all about engagement. When done right, it gives fans the opportunity to engage with your sport over a longer period of time and have more interest in what’s happening across the entire player field.”
After the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) was overruled, the U.S. has seen approximately $10 billion in sports wagering, and legalization has quickly spread over many states. The PGA has worked hard to get into the market, and they feel now is the perfect time. “We’ve done a ton of work,” he said. “As it is becoming legalised by state in the U.S., you can either participate or not, and we feel smarter to be participating… versus let others control it.”
He noted a partnership with IMG Arena, and an eye to maintaining a high quality, integrity product. “I think when we come forward, you’ll see that we’ve taken significant steps to address that,” he said. “We’re going to participate in a thoughtful way and I’m really comfortable with that.”
The PGA Tour has been making noise about sports betting ever since shortly before PASPA fell, with Monahan vocalizing his opinion on the matter in April, 2018. But they haven’t entered the conversation without some pushback, as they recently argued in favor of integrity fees at an Ohio hearing, an idea lawmakers and many in the industry have opposed.
