FanDuel is the latest gambling operator to partner with the PGA Tour.
The US sports betting operator FanDuel has inked a multi-year content and marketing agreement with the PGA Tour.
The deal was made with the hope of building upon increased betting activity on professional golf markets seen in 2020.
In its announcement, FanDuel said that golf events recorded the highest single event handle on FanDuel Sportsbook over nine of the last 12 Sundays. On top of this, FanDuel’s total golf handle in New Jersey in 2020 has already surpassed the total golf handle from 2019 despite the shutdown of PGA Tour events during the coronavirus pandemic.
FanDuel and the PGA Tour
Under the multi-year agreement, FanDuel will join the PGA Tour’s official betting operator program and the operator will be granted the rights to use PGA Tour marks, advertise on official PGA Tour media and partner platforms, and receive content and video rights to create pre-game and post-game betting content.
FanDuel will also be granted permission to distribute game highlights to users who have placed bets.
On top of this, the PGA Tour and FanDuel will work together to deliver odds-based content to fans via online platforms such as the PGA Tour’s app and pgatour.com.
Norb Gambuzza, SVP, Media and Gaming at the PGA Tour, said: “We have long admired FanDuel’s brand, product and marketing strategies as well as the leadership position it has taken since the legalization of sports betting in 2018. We are excited to bring FanDuel into the PGA Tour’s Official Betting Operator program as we continue to engage new fans in this rapidly growing space.”
Mike Raffensperger, CMO FanDuel Group, said: “Golf interest is up on FanDuel, so we are excited to deepen our relationship with the PGA Tour. We will now be able to offer unique gaming experiences on our platform, special Tour related promotions for our customers and an enhanced content experience across the Tour’s properties to really prove to bettors across the nation that there are More Ways to Win at FanDuel.”
PGA Tour and sports betting
The PGA Tour first opened up to sponsorship opportunities in February 2019 several months after the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) in 2018. This move reflected the change in the attitude of sports leagues towards legalised sports betting. Prior to this, the PGA Tour prohibited any association with gambling entities.
In July 2020, DraftKings became the PGA Tour’s first official sports betting partner building upon a daily fantasy deal with the league in July 2019.
Other operators, including BetMGM and PointsBet, have inked deals with the PGA Tour this year.
