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LIV GOLF IS HERE, BUT CAN YOU BET ON IT?
The biggest off-course news in professional golf came this week with the official launch of the LIV Golf Tour and the defections from the PGA Tour of stars Dustin Johnson, Phil Mickleson and others, but betting on the upstart venture in the United States is an easy proposition, according to TheLines, which tracks odds in the U.S. regulated sports betting market.
With the first event of LIV Golf’s debut tournament in London underway, legal wagering on the event is limited in the United States despite legal wagering available on PGA Tour events, like this week’s RBC’s Canadian Open. So what’s the difference and why isn’t wagering widely available on LIV golf? It comes down to regulation.
Up until very recently, LIV Golf didn’t have a governing body or an integrity policy, and regulators need to see both when asked to approve wagering. As a result, many books were reluctant to even ask.
As of Wednesday, ahead of Thursday’s debut for the new league, FanDuel was only approved in three states for LIV Golf betting and as a result, the operator chose not to post any odds for the first event. BetMGM had approval in more states but also did not offer odds.
DraftKings was approved in Illinois, Oregon, Ontario, Connecticut, Arizona, and Wyoming. BetRivers/PlaySugarHouse only had wagering available for LIV Golf in Connecticut and Ontario for both traditional golf markets and winner of the four-man team format.
“Sportsbooks couldn’t even provide proper notice to sports betting regulators to approve LIV golf because the new tour was still getting its golf operations organized at the last minute,” said Stephen Andress, managing editor of TheLines. “Asking regulators to allow odds was pointless until LIV established a governing body and an integrity policy.”
Integrity has another meaning for some when it comes to this new threat to the PGA Tour. It is financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
LIV Golf, led by former star Greg Norman, has received plenty of criticism for sportwashing – using hundreds of millions of dollars to lure players to play in the tour in an attempt to clean up the country’s tarnished reputation on human rights. In comments related to the killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, Norman said, “we all make mistakes.”
Mickelson, who removed himself from the public eye months ago after his comments related to the PGA Tour and LIV Golf became public, committed to LIV Golf this week and reportedly will be paid $200 million. Johnson is set to earn more than $100 million guaranteed from LIV Golf.
The PGA Tour announced Thursday that all players committed to LIV Golf have been suspended from further competition. But Johnson, Mickelson, Sergio Garcia and others who have bolted for the new circuit will be eligible to play in next week’s U.S. Open as the major championship is conducted by the United States Golf Association, not the PGA Tour.
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Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app
Bally’s Interactive Launches the New Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino App in Ontario
Bally’s Interactive, the digital and sports betting division of Bally’s Corporation, has launched the all-new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app in Ontario, Canada. This latest release marks another significant milestone for the company, following the recent app update in New Jersey and a series of successful app launches in the past year, including the introduction of Bally Bet Sportsbook across multiple states and Bally Casino in Rhode Island.
The updated Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app represents a major step forward, as it combines the functionalities of the existing Bally Casino app and Bally Bet Sportsbook app into one comprehensive platform. Powered by White Hat Gaming, this new app allows players residing in or traveling to Ontario to conveniently place wagers on both sports and casino games using a single app, account, and universal wallet.
“We are thrilled to introduce the new Bally Bet Sportsbook & Casino app, marking a significant milestone for Bally’s. This integrated platform merges the features of our previous apps, providing players in Ontario with a seamless experience for both sports and casino betting. Our commitment to enhancing the player experience remains at the forefront as we strive to personalize the enjoyment of playing Bally Bet,” said Robeson Reeves, CEO of Bally’s Corporation.
BCLC reminds adults to gift responsibly this holiday season
With the holiday season in full swing, BCLC is reminding British Columbians to gift responsibly and scratch lottery products from their shopping lists for kids.
“Scratch & Win tickets can make great stocking stuffers for the adults in your life, but they’re not for kids,” said Ryan McCarthy, BCLC’s Director of Player Health. “The research shows that children who have early encounters with gambling are four times more likely to develop riskier gambling behaviour as they grow up. While people are out shopping for those last-minute gifts, BCLC wants adults to be aware of the potential risks associated with gifting lottery products to children and to consider safer alternatives.”
While Scratch & Win tickets are among the most common ways kids can be introduced to gambling, children are increasingly exposed to various online forms, such as gambling streams.
“With the convergence of gaming and gambling, youth are becoming more exposed to gambling content in online spaces like streaming sites, where creators are able to live-stream their own gambling, usually while playing online slots and instant games,” said Dr. Luke Clark, Director for Gambling Research at UBC. “Our research at the UBC Centre for Gambling shows that a higher frequency of watching online gambling streams is associated with a more positive attitude towards gambling and a high intention to gamble in the future.”
In B.C., it is illegal to sell lottery products to anyone under the age of 19 and BCLC encourages adults to have conversations with the kids in their lives about the risks associated with gambling.
“Open and honest conversations are crucial when it comes to navigating childhood exposure to gambling,” said McCarthy, who shared the following tips to adults:
- Monitor for gambling-related lifestyle changes. For example, developing a positive attitude towards gambling or a preoccupation with video games or streaming sites.
- Be a positive role model. Exhibit safer gambling behaviour and talk about the risks.
- Limit exposure. Monitor kids’ online activities and discourage engagement with gambling content. Explain how gambling is based on chance.
Jackpot Digital Inc., a leading provider of innovative dealerless electronic poker gaming solutions, has announced that the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has approved the Company to be licensed as a registered Gaming Related-Supplier (the “Supplier License”) under the Gaming Control Act in the Province of Ontario.
This significant achievement allows Jackpot Digital to enter one of the most dynamic and rapidly growing regulated gaming markets in North America. The Supplier License authorizes Jackpot Digital to supply its electronic table games to Ontario’s gaming venues, including casinos and other regulated gaming facilities.
Jackpot Digital’s flagship product, the Jackpot Blitz electronic table game system, offers a modern, dealerless, player-friendly solution that integrates traditional multiplayer poker games with cutting-edge digital technology. The Supplier License will enable the Company to offer its innovative gaming solutions to operators throughout Ontario, driving new revenue opportunities and enhancing player experiences.
“Receiving AGCO’s approval is a major milestone. This approval provides us with the opportunity to offer our top-tier electronic gaming systems to operators throughout all of Ontario, positioning us for further growth in one of the world’s most robust gaming markets. We are excited to bring our innovative products to Ontario’s gaming community and continue our commitment to providing exciting, technology-driven entertainment experiences,” said Jake Kalpakian, CEO of Jackpot Digital.
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