IMG Arena to provide betting data on PGA Tour events

The PGA Tour is partnering with IMG Arena to distribute data to news services and sports media companies.

The data that gets distributed will be used for betting purposes as well as in the media, a development which is possible thanks to the liberalisation of betting laws in some American states. IMG Arena will also have the rights to sell official data and live video of competitions to international sports betting and gaming companies.

IMG Arena, which was launched by IMG earlier this year, is a data collection system that provides live streaming and on-demand virtual sports products, and can deliver accurate data in less than one second.

To create new products that will help fans experience golf in a different way, IMG Arena will use the PGA Tour’s ShotLink system, which collects data from walking scorers, lasers, and greenside cameras.

IMG Arena will also provide security to the PGA Tour that will help fight potential betting-related corruption. Security on this score is clearly important and such data is also being used in cycling to help combat drugs cheats.

Jay Monahan, PGA Tour Commissioner, said: “This is a very important step for the PGA Tour in terms of engaging our fans, serving our players and enhancing our integrity program. Creating a bigger, more diverse, more engaged fanbase around the world is key to any league’s success, and sports betting is part of how we plan to do that.”

Freddie Longe, IMG Arena Managing Director, added: “We see golf as a sleeping giant. It is one of few major sports that doesn’t yet offer consistent in-play betting markets. The PGA Tour is an undisputed leader in golf and we feel this long-term partnership will allow us to work hand in hand to grow the game and protect the sport via the launch of a truly innovative digital experience that captures the next generation of sports betting and entertainment.”

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Parker Sikes
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Parker Sikes is an American student studying advertising in London. Follow her on Twitter at @sikespar.

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