Since its inception in 2021, there has been a fair amount of controversy around upstart golf league LIV Golf, particularly its ties to Saudi Arabia.
One area it won’t have to hear complaints about is game integrity thanks to the group’s new deal with U.S. Integrity.
“This partnership with U.S. Integrity is critical as we enhance our presence in the sports gaming space,” said LIV Golf Chief Operating Officer Lawrence Burian. “Establishing the highest standards in all aspects of our competition processes and operations is of primary importance to LIV Golf. Similar to many top sports leagues, working with industry-leading partners like U.S. Integrity demonstrates our commitment to ensuring gaming integrity within our sport.”
Since launching in 2018, the integrity monitoring group has seemingly inked a deal with every major sports league, totaling more than 60 leagues around the world.
As part of the deal, LIV Golf will gain access to Prohibet, the increasingly popular product that can track and ensure that athletes within LIV Golf are not betting on golf events.
“We are excited to collaborate with LIV Golf. Combining ProhiBet’s cutting-edge encrypted data transfer system with LIV Golf’s commitment to preserving sports integrity will enhance the transparency and reliability of their sports betting operations,” expressed U.S. Integrity Founder and CEO Matt Holt.
The competing PGA Tour has taken a hard line against its players wagering. Last year the group suspended two Korn Ferry Tour golfers for wagering not just on PGA events but on the exhibition golf game between Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka.
One of the golfers associated with LIV Golf is Phil Mickelson, who comes with betting baggage of his own. When notorious gambler Billy Walters published his autobiography last year, he alleged Mickelson was an avid sports bettor, wagering more than a billion dollars. He also claimed that Mickelson attempted to bet on himself and the American team in the 2012 Ryder Cup but Walters turned the bet down.
