Massachusetts rejects wagering on LIV Golf occasions earlier than anticipated PGA Tour merger

Sports activities

“I would really feel uncomfortable placing this in our catalog.”

A flag with the LIV Golf logo is seen prior day three of the LIV Golf Invitational - Mayakoba at El Camaleon at Mayakoba on February 26, 2023 in Playa del Carmen.
LIV Golf is predicted to merge with the PGA Tour in 2024. (Photograph by Hector Vivas/Getty Photographs)

Massachusetts residents will be unable to wager on LIV Golf occasions this 12 months after gaming regulators rejected an software so as to add it to the state’s betting catalog.

Sports activities betting firm DraftKings submitted a request so as to add LIV Golf occasions to the golf part of Massachusetts’ betting portfolio forward of the league’s proposed merger with the PGA Tour in 2024.

However the Massachusetts Gaming Fee unanimously rejected DraftKings proposal on Tuesday, with all 5 commissioners voicing opposition to the controversial golf tour that’s presently the main focus of a U.S. Senate oversight listening to this week. 

LIV Golf is owned by the Public Funding Fund — the sovereign wealth fund of the federal government of Saudi Arabia.

“For lots of the explanations which are within the press by way of the monetary backing of the LIV league, to me, I’d really feel uncomfortable placing this in our catalog, whilst a LIV free-standing [option], however the DOJ investigation of the merger,” stated Commissioner Eileen O’Brien, as transcribed by Chris Lisinski of State Home Information Service. 

“I, too, am not snug placing this in our catalog proper now with all of the controversy that surrounds it,” Commissioner Brad Hill added. 

The Massachusetts Gaming Fee is allowed to revisit its determination on LIV Golf at any time, and can be capable of revisit it as soon as once more if the merger with the PGA Tour goes by means of subsequent 12 months.

After being locked in a bitter dispute for over a 12 months that concerned participant defections and a slew of lawsuits, each the PGA Tour and LIV Golf agreed to a merger again in early June that dropped all litigation and can create a brand new for-profit entity shifting ahead. 

On Saturday, former AT&T government Randall Stephenson resigned from his place on the PGA Tour’s coverage board, stressing his “severe issues” concerning the tour’s anticipated merger with the Saudi-affiliated LIV Golf.