Professional sports organizations were among the original group of adversaries for sports betting. However, sports leagues are embracing wagering in the United States because it’s a very lucrative industry, and there are tons of beneficiaries.
The Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) is the latest league to venture into a sports wagering partnership publicly. The LPGA and BetMGM announced a multi-year agreement for the book to become the tour’s official sports betting operator and partner.
What Does the Deal Mean for the LPGA and BetMGM?
BetMGM and LPGA will both benefit from the partnership equally. BetMGM will showcase LPGA odds on the sportsbook in the golf menu. The odds will be positioned next to the PGA and European Tours, so bettors will easily be able to wager the association.
BetMGM can also advertise with the official LPGA logo. This should help attract bettors for LPGA specials and promotions. The partnership will bring attention to the LPGA because of BetMGM’s notoriety in the United States. Additionally, BetMGM will be able to add another golf league to its wagering menu.
Golf betting is becoming very popular in the United States. The PGA Tour is starting to break records for wagers, and the LPGA is expected to gain traction quickly on the platform. BetMGM now has firm control on golf betting after the LPGA deal because the company formed a partnership with the PGA in August.
Brian Carroll, senior vice president of global media distribution of the LPGA, was quoted in the partnership announcement.
He said, “As a leading sports and entertainment company and already a supporter of women’s golf, BetMGM is uniquely positioned to join the LPGA family as an Official Betting Operator. Sports betting and digital gaming are key elements of the future of sports, and BetMGM is on the forefront of both opportunities. We are happy to partner with them as we look to provide more opportunities for our fans to interact with the LPGA and learn about our incredible athletes.”
A Perfect Match
The deal between BetMGM and LPGA was perfect because there were already ties between the groups. BetMGM is a product of MGM Resorts, which sponsors multiple LPGA golfers like Natalie Gulbis, Danielle Kang, Cristie Kerr, Alison Lee, Anna Nordqvist, and Michelle Wie West.
Gulbis, Nordqvist, and Kerr have been the most direct with the sponsorship, openly promoting MGM in the LPGA Classic last October in New Jersey. Also, MGM Resorts already partnered with the LPGA for a tournament at the end of May in Las Vegas.
This will be the first match-play event for the LPGA since 2017. After this partnership, expect BetMGM to offer many incentives for bettors to gamble on the occasion.
Matt Prevost, BetMGM chief revenue officer, described his company’s excitement about the new deal. He said, “We look forward to working with the LPGA and engaging with its fanbase through our market-leading products. BetMGM’s advanced betting technology provides a user-friendly experience for LPGA fans and a myriad of betting options to choose from.”
The first tournament under the partnership will be the Pure Silk Championship from May 20-23.
