PGA TOUR announces IMG ARENA as data distributor

Multiyear agreement will see IMG ARENA provide official scoring data for media and sports betting industries

LONDON (19th November, 2018)– The PGA TOUR today announced that IMG ARENA, IMG’s leading sports betting service and content hub, will distribute official PGA TOUR scoring data for media usage and sports betting purposes.

Under a significant multi-year agreement, IMG Arena will distribute official PGA TOUR data to sports media companies, news services and other media organizations worldwide.  Further, IMG ARENA will have the exclusive right to distribute official data and selected live video of PGA TOUR competitions to international regulated sports betting and gaming markets.

The PGA TOUR’s official data is collected through its proprietary ShotLink® system powered by CDW. With an elaborate network of walking scorers, lasers and greenside cameras, ShotLink collects and distributes a rich set of data points from each shot in PGA TOUR competition in real time. Utilizing the ShotLink data, IMG ARENA is developing a range of innovative golf products that will provide PGA TOUR fans with new and exciting ways to enjoy the sport.

The PGA TOUR’s relationship with IMG Arena will support the PGA TOUR’s Integrity Program, which was implemented earlier this year to protect the PGA TOUR from sports betting related corruption. The official data provided by IMG ARENAwill deliver fans the most timely, accurate and reliable source of information for betting purposes, all verified by the PGA TOUR. Further, IMG ARENA, will be responsible for providing the highest standard of security and data protection and ensuring proper controls to prevent the unauthorized use of information by outlets licensing PGA TOUR data.

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

“The global sports betting market’s access to official data has revolutionized the in-play sports betting experience,” said Freddie Longe, Managing Director at IMG ARENA. “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.”

Read an interview here with Lance Stover from the PGA TOUR and Max Wright from IMG ARENA as they talk further about the future of in-play golf betting.

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