The catalogue will not include LIV Golf events until at least its proposed 2024 merger with the PGA Tour is approved.
But even after the merger it s not exactly a slam dunk to be approved, according to the Massachusetts Gaming Commission.
The Massachusetts Gaming Commission unanimously voted 5-0 to deny a request from DraftKings to add LIV Golf to the commonwealth s sports betting catalogue. Massachusetts will not allow betting on standalone LIV tournaments and will likely not revisit betting on LIV events until its proposed merger with the PGA Tour is approved.
Commissioners Iffy on LIV Golf
Members of the Massachusetts Gaming Commission expressed their hesitancy to allow betting on LIV Golf due to the controversy surrounding the tour. Commissioner Eileen O Brien led the charge and said the MGC should not approve standalone bets on LIV Golf.
The Justice Department is currently looking into the LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger, she said.
For a lot of the reasons in the press, in terms of the financial backing of the LIV league, to me I d feel uncomfortable putting this in our catalogue. Even as a LIV freestanding market, not withstanding the DOJ investigation of the merger, O Brien said.
Commissioner Brad Hill said it would be wise to revisit this again if the merger is approved in 2024.
I too am not comfortable putting this in our catalogue right now with all the controversy surrounding it, he said.
Massachusetts Gaming Chair Cathy Judd Stein and Commissioners Nakisha Skinner and Jordan Maynard both agreed and voted to decline the DraftKings request.
The Senate today held a hearing on the potential LIV Golf and PGA Tour merger:
LIV Golf Available in Massachusetts DFS
While sports bets on LIV Golf will not be available anytime soon in the commonwealth, LIV Golf has previously been offered by DraftKings in Massachusetts through its daily fantasy sports contests.
A DraftKings representative confirmed with Sports Betting Dime that LIV Golf daily fantasy sports contests (DFS) were offered in Massachusetts. LIV Golf is not currently in season, but the offerings were available in the commonwealth earlier in the year.
LIV Golf can be offered as a DFS contest in the state as fantasy sports are regulated by the Massachusetts Attorney General s Office, not the MGC.
Do they know DraftKings offers LIV golf contests for daily fantasy in Massachusetts already?
Mike Mutnansky (@MikeMutnansky)
