Golf betting simulcast will make debut at Open

If you’re a sports betting enthusiast, you have been treated over the past two years as more and more states legalize online sports betting and it becomes more mainstream. As partnerships and acquisitions in the space continue to heat up, so do new product offerings being introduced.

Golf fans and, more specifically, golf bettors, you’re up for the next treat.

Earlier this week, NBC Sports, the PGA Tour and PointsBet Sportsbook announced they will present the first-ever golf betting simulcast, which will debut around the Waste Management Phoenix Open next week.

The show, NBC Sports Edge BetCast, will air alongside NBC Sports’ telecast on Golf Channel and NBC, airing Feb. 4-7 from TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course. NBC Sports Edge BetCast will be available on Peacock Premium, providing a golf-betting, second-screen experience focused on betting odds and lines around the Phoenix Open.

The show will be presented over 10 afternoon hours, covering 2½ hours in each of the tournament’s four rounds. The live studio will be overlooking the 16th hole.

“We are excited to debut this unique betting show with our partners at the PGA Tour and PointsBet,” said David Preschlack, president, NBC Sports Regional Networks, and executive vice president, content strategy, NBC Sports Group via a news release. “With TPC Scottsdale’s Stadium Course as the backdrop, we look forward to a compelling sports betting presentation on Peacock Premium as a companion to watching the world’s best golfers competing on some of the most iconic holes on the PGA Tour.”

For years during sports broadcasts, announcers generally danced around odds and sports betting in general. While important to a segment of their audience, it was generally considered taboo to speak of directly. While there have been some general references, the sports-betting community never felt it was enough. That changes moving forward.

Sports bettors now have a show speaking their language and talking directly about betting opportunities, odds changes, probabilities and more throughout the event.

“The NBC Sports Edge BetCast stream on Peacock Premium is another step forward for our sports betting strategy,” said Norb Gambuzza, PGA Tour's senior vice president, Media and Gaming. “We are extremely excited to produce and distribute specialized betting content as a companion to our linear and digital coverage with our partners at NBC Sports and PointsBet. As we continue to embrace sports betting, the Tour will continue to innovate and find new ways to engage fans around the world.”

Look for this type of experience to just be the tip of the iceberg of what’s to come… not just in golf, but across all sports verticals.