Bettors in Massachusetts can now legally wager on major women’s golf events. Commissioners unanimously voted to add Ladies Professional Golf Association (LPGA) and Ladies European Tour (LET) to the MA Sports Wagering Catalog at the Massachusetts Gaming Commission meeting on June 6.
That means the six online Massachusetts sports betting operators, as well as the sportsbooks at the state’s three retail sportsbooks, may offer betting markets for all LPGA and LET events. That includes the forthcoming KPMG Women’s PGA Championship, which runs June 20-23.
Massachusetts adds LPGA, LET golf to sports betting catalog
In presenting the request, MGC’s sports wagering operations manager, Andrew Steffen, told commissioners that the sports wagering division noticed the LPGA and LET were absent from the wagering catalog in May. They then informed operators they could request that the leagues be added. Caesars Sportsbook promptly submitted a petition and multiple operators followed suit, Steffen said.
In their petition, Caesars said that LPGA events had been approved for wagering in 26 states (and Washington, D.C.) where Caesars currency operates.
Events must meet specific criteria in order to be added to the sports wagering catalog in Massachusetts. These include sufficient integrity controls and verifiable outcomes.
All four commissioners voted to approve both of Caesars’ petitions to add the leagues to the catalog, with MGC interim chair Jordan Maynard proclaiming, “I love the LPGA.”
LPGA, LET events attract top international talent
Founded in 1950, the LPGA is the oldest women’s professional sports association in the U.S. The LET, founded in 1978, entered a joint venture agreement in 2020 with the LPGA Tour. Both leagues feature the top women’s golfers from around the world.
The 2024 LPGA schedule features 35 events in the U.S., with a record-setting total of more than $118 million in prize money. The LET’s 2024 schedule includes 31 events in 20 countries.
Both leagues recognize France’s Amundi Evian Championship and the U.K.’s AIG Women’s Open as majors. The other three annual LPGA majors are the forthcoming Women’s PGA Championship, April’s Chevron Championship and the recent U.S. Women’s Open.
MGC previously denied adding LIV Golf to sports betting catalog
The MGC has approved an array of golf events for the MA Sports Wagering Catalog, including the men’s U.S. Open, the Masters Tournament and the PGA Championship, as well as overseas events like the British Open and World Golf Championships.
But the Massachusetts regulatory body has not approved every golf-related request. Last July, the MGC denied DraftKings’ petition to have LIV Golf events added to the sports wagering catalog. Despite it being available for wagering in other jurisdictions, MA commissioners cited concerns about the league being funded by the Saudi Arabian government and the U.S. Justice Department’s investigation into the proposed PGA and LIV Golf merger.
