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ESPN BET finally got some good news on Tuesday.
After being buffeted by a poor quarterly earnings report and quasi-mocked by ESPN personality Pat McAfee on his popular national show, PENN Entertainment’s online sportsbook brand was announced as the “Official Sports Betting Sponsor” of the PGA Championship through 2026.
The event will be held at Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville, Kentucky from May 16-19. Mobile sports betting is legal and underway in Kentucky.Not coincidentally, the next two Championships will take place in states where sports betting is legal and underway, and where ESPN BET is licensed to take bets:
- 2025 – Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte, North Carolina
- 2026 – Aronimink Golf Club in Newtown Square, Pennsylvania
Deal Tees Off New Era for PGA Majors
The PGA TOUR has expended great energy in transforming golf into a gambling-forward sport, partnering with IMG Arena to create more granular in-play betting markets to expand its fan base.
The PGA Championship becomes the first men’s golf major to sign a sports betting deal.
Majors include the PGA Championship, US Open, The Masters, and British Open.
While The Masters seems unlikely to add a gambling partner as it is held in Georgia, where sports betting isn’t legal, and fans can’t use cell phones on the grounds during the tournament, the US Open is held in various locations (this year in North Carolina, where sports betting is legal).
“We are incredibly proud to partner with PENN Entertainment and immerse ESPN BET into the spectator experience throughout the PGA Championship,” Jeff Price, PGA of America Chief Commercial Officer said in a release.
“The added onsite presence of ESPN BET as well as broadcast and content offerings will provide spectators with exciting new ways to enjoy and engage with all of the action during the PGA Championship.”
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