The nation’s sports betting market is an ever-changing landscape with new seasons and new options from which to choose.
As the betting public turns its attention to MLB spring training, March Madness, the upcoming NBA/NHL playoffs and even the controversial LIV Golf Tour (starting today), sports wagering providers are looking for new ways to draw bettors’ attention to other opportunities.
One company has heeded the call and some betting enthusiasts can take advantage of it next week.
Pro League Network will host the inaugural World Putting League Championship, featuring 26 of the world’s best mini-golf putters competing in a two-day tournament Feb. 27-28 at Hawaiian Rumble Minigolf in Myrtle Beach, S.C.
Two qualifying rounds will begin Monday (11:30 a.m.), with the top eight golfers advancing to Tuesday’s competition, in which they will compete in a match-play bracket for the title (6:30 p.m.). The winner receives the top prize of $5,000.
You Can Bet in Some States
There is no legal South Carolina or North Carolina sports betting, but there will be action from some oddsmakers where bets can take place.
Two sports betting providers — DraftKings and Betfred Sports — will be offering wagering options for the event in four jurisdictions: Colorado, Connecticut, Oregon and Wyoming. That marks the first-time mini golf will be offered on sportsbooks and livestreamed to viewers.
The World Putting League Championship will be live streamed at the WPL website and social channels.
“Everyone has fond memories of playing mini-golf at some point in their lives,” said Pro League Network founders Mike Salvaris and Bill Yucatonis in a news release. “We’re excited to build off that positive sentiment and introduce a highly professionalized championship tournament.
“The World Putting League will showcase the incredible athletic ability of the U.S. ProMini Golf Association athletes to new audiences through a high-quality, professional broadcast, technology-integrated scoring system and, perhaps most exciting, the ability for fans to wager on the tournament.”
Fans can wager on bet types, including golfers’ over/under in each round, top eight finishes, outright winner, over/under total holes in one for both individual golfers and more.
Early opening lines have U.S. ProMini Golf Association Hall of Famer Olivia Prokopova as the favorite at +200.
Founded in December 2022 and with offices in New York and Boston, Pro League Network is a provider of live niche sports to sportsbook operators.
The company’s first sport, SlapFIGHT Championship, was offered for wagering on DraftKings in the U.S. and Canada last December. It also has deals with World Strongman and Major League Paintball’s NXL ProSeries.
Legal mobile sports betting could be coming in 2023 to North Carolina, as legislation that failed last year has been refined and re-introduced.
Stay close to BetCarolina.com for coverage of any news developments along the way, as well as for North Carolina sportsbook promo codes.
