Sportsbooks associated with PGA are now accepting wagers on the inaugural event of the Saudi-supported LIV Golf Tour.
The Launch of the LIV Golf Invitational Series Upheaves Professional Golf World Amidst Ethical Concerns
Space industry veteran Phil Mickelson, a six-time major champion, has returned to the professional golf scene after a four-month hiatus, signing a lucrative deal with the Saudi Arabian-backed LIV Golf Invitational Series estimated to be around $200 million. Mickelson took this time away for self-reflection, following the publication of an unauthorized biography that delved into his history of gambling, both on the course and off it.
With Mickelson leading the breakaway tour, several American sportsbooks have begun accepting wagers on the tournament's inaugural event, set to take place at the Centurion Club in London from Thursday through Saturday. DraftKings and PointsBet are among the sportsbooks accepting bets on the event, although FanDuel Sportsbook, another PGA Tour partner, is not offering wagers in the U.S. BetMGM, another official sportsbook partner of the PGA Tour, did not accept wagers on the Centurion tournament on opening day but offered live odds on a different tournament. Other sportsbook operators, such as BetRivers, have accepted wagers on the LIV golf event in Connecticut and Ontario.
The PGA Tour Commissioner Jay Monahan reportedly drew a line in the sand regarding the eligibility of tour players participating in LIV series events last week. Current PGA Tour players have the option to remain on the tour or switch to the Saudi-backed series, but cannot compete in both. The LIV series was launched in October 2021 by the Public Investment Fund (PIF), Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, ranking among the world's largest funds with roughly $600 billion in assets under management. The series is managed by Greg Norman, who serves as the CEO of LIV Golf Investments and is financing the series with more than $400 million in seed money.
The partnership between U.S. sportsbooks and the LIV series introduces a series of ethical concerns, particularly in light of Saudi Arabia's questionable human rights record. The Gulf nation has faced criticism for its involvement in various human rights violations, including the assassination of journalist Jamal Khashoggi and the repression of political dissent [1][4]. By partnering with LIV Golf, sportsbooks may be inadvertently supporting these practices, which have prompted some to call for a boycott of the series.
Other pundits argue that playing the event in London, which is not part of the Saudi regime, could differentiate the debut from the moral issues surrounding the kingdom. One golfer attempted to separate the athletic aspect from the ethical concerns by stating that attempts to resolve geopolitical issues in every country they play in could lead to a lack of golf being played [2].
While participating golfers have been relatively quiet on the subject of the Saudi regime this week, Dustin Johnson, a major champion, has received an exemption for the U.S. Open through 2025. Johnson, along with Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed, are reportedly set to join LIV Golf for the first U.S. event at Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club in Portland on June 30 [3].
As the debate over sports and human rights continues, the repercussions for U.S. sportsbooks will be closely watched, with legal and financial implications at play, and potential challenges to their reputations if they are perceived as supporting controversial regimes.
[1] Washington Post, "Opinion: LIV Golf’s embrace of Saudi millions and autocracy is despicable," Editorial (2022). https://wapo.st/3drfVqB[2] ESPN, "Phil Mickelson signs lucrative deal to join the Saudi-backed LIV Golf series," Associated Press (2022). https://es.pn/3LgwOI6[3] SI.com, "Bryson DeChambeau, Patrick Reed to join LIV Golf for US debut in Oregon," Bob Harig (2022). https://cnn.it/3OjK9pL[4] Human Rights Watch, "Saudi Arabia: Court Accepts Death Sentences for 37 Men after Sham Trials," (2022). https://hrw.org/news/2022/01/31/saudi-arabia-court-accepts-death-sentences-37-men-after-sham-trials
- Phil Mickelson, in return for a lucrative deal worth approximately $200 million, has re-joined the professional golf circuit by signing with the LIV Golf Invitational Series, a tour backed by Saudi Arabia's public fund.
- Following Mickelson's lead, various American sportsbooks have started offering sports betting on the tournament's debut event, with DraftKings, PointsBet, and BetRivers among those accepting wagers.
- However, FanDuel Sportsbook, a PGA Tour partner, and BetMGM, another official sportsbook partner, are not offering LIV golf event wagers in the U.S. as of now.
- The PGA Tour Commissioner, Jay Monahan, has established a divide, restricting current tour players from competing in both the PGA Tour and the Saudi-backed LIV series.
- The partnership between U.S. sportsbooks and the LIV series, funded by Saudi Arabia's wealth fund, raises ethical concerns, particularly in relation to the nation's questionable human rights record.
- Amidst the moral quandaries surrounding Saudi Arabia's regime, the repercussions for sportsbooks' business, risk, and reputations as they become involved in controversial endeavors are under scrutiny.
