With the forced hiatus dragging on in the sports world because of the coronavirus, sports gambling fans and sportsbooks are feeling the pinch. Alternatives to placing wagers on NBA and MLB games are being offered, but aren’t drawing nearly the level of attention as the major sports leagues. The world of tennis has taken a hit, as well, and the ATP Tour recently announced that it was going to suspend its activity for six weeks, eyeing a possible return to action on June 7. If necessity is the mother of invention, sports gambling options are needed now more than ever, and the ATP is responding. With the help of IGM Arena, it is introducing a new virtual tennis product that will give sports gambling fans something to look forward to, and it should be here within just a couple of weeks.

IMG Arena announced the new solution a couple of days ago on its website, explaining that it is preparing to unveil this month the “first-ever officially branded virtual tennis product, featuring logos from the ATP Masters 1000 series along with official tournament names, to deliver an authentic, fan-first experience.”

The idea will be to allow sportsbooks to offer lines on various odds, including in-match prop bets and others. It will be made available in a number of jurisdictions, but, most likely, won’t be found on many U.S.-based options – only those that have already authorized virtual sports betting. As states in the country realize that their local economies are about to suffer huge pitfalls, perhaps the coronavirus will serve as an impetus for them to re-evaluate their gambling positions and force them to allow additional opportunities.

ATP Media CEO Mark Webster says of the new partnership, “This is a landmark agreement for ATP Media at a challenging time. We are excited to be working with IMG ARENA to deliver fans around the world innovative content and new ways to enjoy their favourite tennis tournaments.