Professional bowling had real results, yet sportsbook money was slow to follow. Its connection to former WWE executives makes that wait more revealing.
Professional wrestling’s scripted outcomes made it a difficult proposition for regulated sportsbooks. Bowling offered the opposite: real scores and an unknown winner. Yet a betting partnership did not automatically bring the PBA a broad, lasting market. The business connection adds an unexpected wrinkle. Bowlero bought the Professional Bowlers Association in 2019, then went public in 2021 through Isos, led by former WWE co-presidents George Barrios and Michelle Wilson.
The PBA had already opened wagering with FOX Bet at the June 2020 Strike Derby. FOX Bet’s entire operation then closed during August 2023, while bowling markets continued at other operators. Coverage of the 2024 PBA Tour Finals documented BetRivers markets and DraftKings returning for that event. Betting existed; broad, consistent availability was another matter. In December 2025, the PBA announced Legendz as its 2026 social casino and sportsbook partner, a service the announcement describes as using a sweepstakes model.
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