In a recent episode of the Dink podcast, Connor Pardoe, the Commissioner of the PPA Tour, discussed the drama surrounding pickleball and mentioned the potential implementation of gambling. This has been a hot topic for about a year, and according to Pardoe, it will finally be coming in May of this year.
The process of implementing gambling in pickleball is a complex one, as it involves inputting a large amount of data on every specific detail of every match, including each player's performance in each part of every game. This is necessary to ensure that the betting odds are accurate. With the implementation of gambling, there will be more money coming into pickleball, which could lead to increased viewership, particularly among college students and older individuals who are interested in gambling.
One question that arises is whether only streamed games will be available for betting. Currently, the PPA streams one or two courts during tournaments, but they plan to extend this to five streamed courts. This will create more content for viewers to watch and just more content in the social media sphere that will help grow the sport.
Another question is whether betting will only involve who wins and loses, or whether there will be prop bets, which are bets on specific outcomes within a game. This could add a new dynamic to viewership and how people watch pickleball.
The introduction of gambling to pickleball will also create new content opportunities, with individuals offering betting advice through podcasts and blogs. Overall, this addition to the sport could attract a new audience and provide new avenues for content creation.
In conclusion, the implementation of gambling in pickleball is an exciting development that could bring in more money, viewership, and content. It remains to be seen how it will be implemented and what impact it will have on the sport, but it is definitely something to watch out for in the coming months.
I am definitely ready to bet the over on Tyler Loong Ernes.
Clayton Boydston is a self proclaimed pickleball fanatic! A former semi-pro soccer player, he was looking for a new athletic outlet as he transitioned out of soccer. He discovered pickleball when he moved to Utah County in the summer of 2021. From the moment he stepped on the court he was addicted. He studied hours of professional pickleball matches, drilled for hours, and played matches every chance he got. He started as a 3.0 player and quickly advanced to the pro ranks. Clayton loves everything pickleball and loves writing about the latest news and events of this sport he loves.
He is also a pickleball instructor and of the founders of the Boydston Pickleball Academy where they teach beginners all the way up to advanced players.