ITIA investigating pre-US Open party sponsored by gambling company, attended by star players
- Christian Montegan
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
The International Integrity Agency (ITIA) is currently investigating a US Open promotional party involving a gambling company, which could result in players receiving a warning.
Prominent tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg reported the story Friday morning (AEST), uncovering details about DraftKings event host Dave Grutman, who is regarded as a "well-connected Miami nightlife impresario".
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DraftKings is an American digital sports entertainment gambling company that offers sportsbook and daily fantasy sports services, and is a partner of Grutman.
Players who attended the event included Aryna Sabalenka, Serena Williams, Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva and Taylor Fritz, among others.
They posed for photos in front of a DraftKings wall, and that has caused the ITIA to step in and investigate.
"Their arranged appearances at a promotional event for a company that offers tennis betting could violate anti-corruption rules, and earn them discreet warnings from the ITIA to be careful about their appearances of affiliation with betting brands," Rothenberg wrote.
"Even if the players were not directly compensated by DraftKings for appearing at its party, the appearances and photo-ops may have run afoul of Tennis Anti-Corruption rules."
Rule D.1.b states: "No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, facilitate, encourage and/or promote Tennis Betting."
Rule D.1.q states: "No Covered Person, whether personally or via another arrangement or legal entity, may endorse, be employed, sponsored and/or otherwise engaged by a Tennis Betting Operator."
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Other attendees included Matteo Berrettini, Alexandra Eala, and Anna Kalinskaya.
Kalinskaya, ranked 23rd on the WTA circuit, told Bounces she was unaware the event was sponsored by DraftKings, admitting that she "just went to catch up with friends".
According to Rothenberg, the players were not paid to appear at the event.
Earlier this week, the US Open was placed under heavy scrutiny for agreeing to a last-minute deal with prediction-market company Kalshi to be a tournament sponsor, effective immediately.
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