From today, Thursday, August 24th, the PPA Tour is able to accept gambling wagers in 10 U.S. states and one Canadian province.
A Historic Step
Sportsbooks are now authorized to provide markets and live video feeds powered by official data for professional pickleball. The Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) Tour, recognized as the premier tour for the sport, has taken a historic step by becoming the first pickleball organization to enter the sports betting market.
Kicking off with FanDuel Sportsbook, enthusiasts in 10 legalized betting states across the U.S. and one Canadian province now have the opportunity to place bets on PPA Tour events.
This includes the upcoming Vulcan Kansas City Open, scheduled to run from today, August 24 to 27. Betting enthusiasts will have the chance to watch the live events and engage in wagering across various markets on outcomes such as match results, precise match scores, total points (over/under), and head-to-head matchups.
“A Monumental Moment”
PPA Tour Founder and CEO Connor Pardoe expressed his enthusiasm about this significant development:
“This is a monumental moment for the PPA Tour and the game of pickleball as a whole. We are excited to be paving the way in the pickleball sports betting space.
This is real:
— Sports Handle (@sports_handle) June 17, 2021
You can now bet on professional pickleball.
The Professional #Pickleball Association (PPA) has announced a long-term partnership with @GeniusSports.
This partnership will set the stage for regulated sports betting on PPA events for the first time. #ESPNocho
“Our venture into sports betting will bring a whole new level of engagement from current and new fans, and we continue to be excited for what the future holds for our sport.”
Genius Sports
In collaboration with Genius Sports, an official data, technology, and broadcast partner, the PPA Tour ensures that data and live video feeds are made available to all participating sportsbooks and online vendors, enabling bettors to stay connected with real-time events.
Sean Conroy, Executive Vice President of North America at Genius Sports, emphasized the importance of this development in connecting with fans:
“Creating an official data-powered betting product for pickleball, the fastest-growing sport in America, is a crucial platform for the PPA Tour to engage new and existing fans.”
A Commitment To Integrity
It’s noteworthy that a commitment to integrity is part of the launch. All PPA Tour professionals are expected to adhere to the PPA Tour Sports Betting and Integrity Policy.
The organization has also partnered with Sportradar to develop policies and processes for player safety and integrity in the context of sports betting.
Additionally, the PPA Tour is dedicated to promoting responsible gambling. Resources and support for individuals and families affected by problem gambling are available through ncpgambling.org.
The move to integrate sports betting into the pickleball experience marks a significant stride in the sport’s growth and engagement, tapping into a wider audience and enhancing the excitement for both players and fans.
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