While Controversy Around Phil Mickelson Flames Out, This Ryder Cup Month Becomes PGA Tour’s Time To Reiterate a Key Unavoidable Pillar

Conversations around gambling and sports betting have been a hot topic in the golf world of late. Besides gambling, claims of players cheating and wagerers trying to influence the outcomes of the games have been afloat often as well. In the middle of these controversies is Phil Mickelson, who has had a strong impact, owing to the legacy that ‘Lefty’ holds to his name.

While the discussions about Mickelson’s gambling accusations have subsided gradually with time, the PGA Tour has brought the topic back into discussion. Ahead of the Ryder Cup later this month, the PGA Tour management has made an announcement to enlighten fans about responsible gaming. 

Uncle Sam turns into a caddie

The month of September serves as Responsible Gaming Education Month (RGEM), and the primary agenda is to educate enthusiasts on responsible wagering. This also includes inculcating discipline to set boundaries and limits to the activity.

The American Gaming Association started an initiative in 2019, titled ‘Have a Game Plan’ to take their agenda forward and educate people involved in sports betting. This year, as a part of this initiative, the PGA Tour has made a public service announcement.

The tour has organized a campaign and has introduced ‘Sam, the responsible gaming caddie,’ to the public. Sam, like a helpful caddie, provides viewers with notes and reminders to help them with the various aspects of sports betting. The topics range from setting a budget to choosing operators responsibly and include good betting practices.

The public service announcement will receive promotions throughout this month. It will also be a part of the Golfbet editorial for the entirety of September. 

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Let’s backtrack a bit and recap what was the deal about the accusations against Phil Mickelson.

A summary of the Phil Mickelson controversy

Phil Mickelson has publicly acknowledged that he had a history of gambling problems. As per reports, he has dealt with it in a healthy way through therapy. Meanwhile, an excerpt from Billy Walter’s recent book ‘Gambler: Secrets from a Life at Risk’ went viral. The excerpt spoke about Mickelson and one of his gambling incidents.

According to the book, Mickelson had gambled for a value of roughly a billion dollars and had lost around 100 million dollars. Shockingly, ‘Lefty’ was also accused of betting on the Ryder Cup in 2012 while being a part of the US team that year, an incident strongly refuted by Mickelson’s camp.

The 53-year-old denied betting on the Ryder Cup and explained how he had only enjoyed friendly wagers. Over time, the allegation and the surrounding controversy have dimmed away, and the golf world is gradually moving on from the alleged scandal.

Speaking of sports betting, do you approve of the activity being legal? What would you add to this list of tips to bet responsibly? Tell us in the comments below.

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