Golf and gambling go together like beer and hot dogs. As such, the PGA Tour has taken steps towards developing its PGA TOUR Integrity Program to ensure that the “gentleman’s game” stays honorable.
On Jan. 24 the PGA announced a new partnership with US Integrity to monitor global and US sports betting on its events. Genius Sports is the TOUR’s current integrity program partner.
The three entities will work hand in hand with US Integrity to provide the PGA with monitoring services through 2024.
The partnership should strengthen the PGA TOUR’S product
Together, the two divisions have a multifaceted approach to protecting the sanctity of the game that includes:
- Educational programs for players, caddies, and officials
- Educational workshops that reinforce the PGA TOUR’s regulations
- Workshops that highlight the risks associated with betting-related corruption
- Custom-made e-learning modules that are available on a worldwide basis to all PGA TOUR players in multiple languages
US Integrity’s CEO and Co-Founder Matthew Holt couldn’t be more excited to join the TOUR. In a statement on the PGA TOUR website, he said:
“US Integrity is proud to partner with the PGA TOUR and assist with maintaining the integrity of its golf competition across the world. US Integrity’s mission is to provide conflict-free, best-in-class insights, and compliance solutions to our clients. We are looking forward to working with the premier golf tour in the world, featuring the biggest names.
All our partners are committed to the highest integrity standards, and they are no exception. These types of partnerships help ensure sports betting integrity and strengthen the unique and proprietary anomaly-detection tools we have developed at US Integrity.”
Integrity Program oversees all aspects of competition, not just sports betting
The PGA and Genius Sports established the PGA TOUR Integrity Program just five years ago. The program oversees all aspects of competition and operations on sanctioned PGA TOUR events. With sports betting hitting the worldwide stage, it’s no secret why the PGA TOUR is expanding its operations.
Stephen Thurley, Head of Integrity Partnerships at Genius Sports said: “We are delighted to extend our historic partnership with the PGA TOUR. As the sports betting landscape rapidly evolves across the US, it is imperative that sports are proactive in protecting the integrity of their competitions.
This partnership ensures the PGA TOUR continues to benefit from Genius Sports’ Bet Monitoring technology and Education services, as well as utilizing ‘Genius Intelligence,’ our groundbreaking fraud detection management system.”
