State regulators in Bay State have denied DraftKings Sportsbook’s request to include LIV Golf in the catalog of Massachusetts sports betting. DraftKings wanted to add the league to the golf section before the 2024 season when it is expected to combine with the PGA Tour.
The commissioners gave a few reasons for rejecting the application and keeping things the way they are. One reason is that the U.S. Department of Justice is looking into whether the PGA Tour and LIV Golf merging would be fair for competition. They also mentioned that LIV Golf gets money from the government of Saudi Arabia, which has been accused of violating people’s rights in many ways.
“For a lot of the reasons that are in the press in terms of the financial backing of the LIV league, to me, I’d feel uncomfortable putting this in our catalog, even as a LIV free-standing [option], notwithstanding the DOJ investigation of the merger,” Commissioner Eileen O’Brien said. Commissioner Bradford Hill also expressed his opinion, stating “I agree with Commissioner O’Brien’s comments on this issue.”
On Saturday, Randall Stephenson, a former executive at AT&T, resigned from his position on the PGA Tour’s policy board. He expressed serious concerns about the planned merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf, which is affiliated with Saudi Arabia.
Decision Could Be Changed
After a long and contentious disagreement that involved players leaving and many lawsuits, both the PGA Tour and LIV Golf agreed to merge in early June. This agreement resolved all the legal disputes and will create a new company for profit in the future.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission has the power to review and change its decision about LIV Golf at any time. If the merger between LIV Golf and the PGA Tour happens next year, the commission will have the opportunity to review it again.
“If this is for the ‘24 season, I think we have time that we can take another look at this in the very near future,” Commissioner Hill said. “And I think we need that time. But I too am not comfortable putting this in our catalog right now with all the controversy that surrounds it.”
LIV Betting Allowed in Other States
DraftKings allows betting on LIV Golf in several states, including Maryland, Connecticut, and Illinois. Other sportsbooks like Caesars Sportsbook, Bet365, and BetMGM have also allowed betting on LIV Golf in the past.
Previously, Indiana denied requests from BetMGM and Caesars Sportsbook to offer LIV Golf betting, while FanDuel has not included LIV Golf in its sports betting markets.
The US Sen. Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations Chair Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) has initiated a federal probe into the proposed merger of PGA Tour and LIV Golf. The focus of the investigation is on the specific details of the proposed merger, including how the newly formed entity will be structured and operated, and how PGA Tour plans to maintain its tax-exempt status.
So, for now, there will be no betting on LIV golf through DraftKings in Massachusetts.
*Bookmakers Review will continue to monitor the developments and report back if the decision is changed.
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