PGA Tour and The Action Network have announced the launch of GolfBet, the first ever golf-focused betting content platform.
GolfBet’s platform will feature weekly articles from well-known experts like Jason Sobel, Josh Perry and Peter Jennings, whilst also striking partnerships with other media companies to enhance the system.
The platform will be powered by The Action Network and made available on the sports media company’s mobile app. The PGA Tour will also provide the new platform with a variety of content distribution assets, including footage rights to support GolfBet video content, and official data.
Norb Gambuzza, PGA TOUR’s SVP Media & Gaming stated: “We believe that golf fans and sports bettors alike are in search of a deeper level of information that has not existed until the launch of GolfBet.
“The Action Network is the perfect partner to create this type of content platform to educate and entertain fans about responsible betting on golf while bolstering the overall gaming ecosystem. We are bullish that GolfBet content and the growth of sports betting will drive fan engagement and expand our overall audience.”
The PGA Tour, one of golf’s premier competitions, has recently embraced the sports betting industry with open arms after partnering with Genius Sports in 2018 to protect gambling integrity throughout golf competitions.
Gambuzza added: “In a typical PGA TOUR season, there are approximately 1.2 million golf shots taken across our schedule.
“This represents a massive opportunity for in-play betting, new types of markets for operators who have access to official PGA TOUR data, and tremendous opportunities for content generation. We think that The Action Network has the unique expertise to develop a diverse array of tools, analysis, and other content which will help fans and bettors understand, access, and enjoy these new betting opportunities as the market evolves.”
IMG ARENA, a global partner of the organisation, is also expected to benefit from the new launch. The betting company will gain additional exposure across the GolfBet platform, which aims to provide more information to punters wanting to bet on PGA’s events.
Max Wright, Senior Vice President of IMG ARENA, commented: “Golf was one of the few major sports that had not yet offered consistent in-play betting markets. We see a massive opportunity for growth through ‘in-play’ betting once our official PGA TOUR betting data hits the market later this year. “
“This partnership between PGA TOUR and The Action Network is hugely complementary. We believe that an information hub like GolfBet which delivers high quality content to help to inform and educate users about golf and golf betting will be a net positive for the growing golf betting market.”
GolfBet content is planned to be largely subscription free for the foreseeable future. The PGA TOUR and Action Network plan to work with the competition’s domestic media partners, with the hope to expand all the brands’ audiences to a global market.
Patrick Keane, CEO of The Action Network concluded: “The PGA TOUR is one of the most forward-thinking leagues and rights holders around the massive growing legal sports betting business.
“Our consumers are passionate golf fans, and we are excited about the opportunity to enhance our coverage via the launch of the GolfBet platform.”
