PGA Head Wants Sportsbetting

This week PGA Commissioner Jay Monahan expressed support for sportsbetting, and is providing guidance for potential federal legislation that would oversee the activity countrywide.

The golfing body is embracing sportsbetting, as they see the opportunity to increase viewership and attendance at their events. The PGA is backing legislation that was introduced last year by Orrin Hatch that would give feds oversight on sportsbetting throughout the country, including setting rules for its operation.

During a press conference Monahan said, "Where we are from a gaming standpoint, I'll break it down to two points. We have for the last couple of years put all the systems in place from an integrity program to monitoring program to our ShotLink technology in place so we can be in a position to participate. The reason we would do it is because we think gaming leads to more engagement."

Obviously, betting would be a way to spice up an activity that can otherwise be considered a bit dull. This was evidenced by the recent Tiger Woods versus Phil Mickleson golf match, which saw the two trading bets as they went around the course.

We've been following the sportsbetting growth in the United States and will continue to update readers as the industry matures.