Press Releases
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.
Blokotech, a leading innovator in iGaming software solutions, has appointed Nicolas Castearena as Commercial Director LATAM, to accelerate growth across Latin America.
Castearena joins Blokotech with an impressive track record of cultivating high-value partnerships and expanding throughout LATAM. His career covers the crypto and Web3 sectors, where he showed a deep understanding of technology, innovation, and market dynamics.
Blokotech Commercial Director LATAM Nicolas Castearena said: “Blokotech’s potential for this region is immense and I cannot wait to play my role in ensuring we deliver on our targets. My localised knowledge and understanding of market nuances will be a valuable addition to the business.”
As Co-founder and CEO of Hashrate Solución, Nicolas has generated strong results by connecting iGaming solutions with real-world market needs – highlighting his entrepreneurial mindset and ability to spot opportunities in emerging tech spaces.
Blokotech Co-Founder and CEO Salvatore Messina added: “Nicolas brings the ideal balance of commercial expertise, technological insight, and strategic vision. His appointment marks a major moment in our LATAM expansion, and we’re hyper-confident about the value he’ll bring to our business and clients in the region.”
partnerships
Delaware Park Converts from VizExplorer to Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Enterprise Platform
Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), a leading provider of cutting-edge casino management solutions, is thrilled to announce that Delaware Park has selected the QCI Enterprise Platform to elevate its data-driven operations.
The strategic decision to transition from VizExplorer to QCI’s innovative platform highlights Delaware Park’s commitment to providing an enhanced guest experience through superior analytics and real-time operational insights.
Delaware Park, a prominent gaming destination in Delaware, is well-known for offering its guests exceptional service. By adopting the QCI Enterprise Platform, Delaware Park will now leverage advanced marketing and data analytics to optimize their performance and guest satisfaction.
Terry Glebocki, President & General Manager of Delaware Park, shared her thoughts on the transition: Delaware Park Casino is excited to partner with QCI. “The real-time insights and innovative analytics provided by QCI will enable us to make data-driven decisions that will enhance the overall experience for our customers and improve our internal processes.”
Andrew Cardno, CTO of QCI, expressed his excitement about the partnership: “We are honored to welcome Delaware Park to the expanding network of gaming properties utilizing the QCI Enterprise Platform. By choosing QCI, Delaware Park demonstrates a strong commitment to innovation, and we look forward to supporting their efforts to streamline operations and drive revenue.”
Melissa Chiaurro, President of VizExplorer, also commented on the collaboration: “The Viz team is excited to begin transitioning our clients to the QCI Platform. This move will not only enhance their analytical capabilities but also offer a more user-friendly experience and deeper insights into player behaviors. We are committed to making the migration process as smooth as possible and are eager to see the innovative opportunities that QCI will unlock for our partners.”
Confut USA and BetExpo join forces to provide a unique experience, bringing together speakers and professionals from the global football and iGaming industries in a single event, which will take place on June 11th and 12th, at the Hilton Miami Downtown.
Over the course of two days, participants will have the opportunity to explore topics such as sports betting, market trends, technological innovations and business opportunities.
Arthur Lobo, CEO of Confut, commented on the partnership: “The partnership with BetExpo represents a strategic merger of two industries that go hand in hand: football and iGaming. This move not only expands the diversity of content at the event, but also creates an ecosystem that is conducive to generating business between companies in the betting sector, clubs, leagues and other stakeholders. In addition, it promotes fundamental discussions on regulation, technology integration and best practices in the market.”
In addition, Pedrão Bet, CEO of BetExpo, also stated how positive the union of the two events will be:
“The partnership between BetExpo and Confut represents a strategic union of great impact, combining expertise, innovation and joining two sectors that are rapidly expanding in the global market.”
For brands looking to activate their business in these two markets, Confut USA and BetExpo offer exclusive business opportunities and experiences.
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