The PGA Tour has reported a 20% increase in golf betting handle for 2025, extending a run of double-digit annual growth to a fourth consecutive year, as wagering activity continued to expand across digital platforms, physical sportsbooks, and casinos.
The Tour said betting growth accelerated during the FedEx Cup Playoffs in August, with wagering on the St. Jude Classic, BMW Championship, and Tour Championship rising by 50% compared with the prior year. Handle at the Tour Championship at East Lake Golf Club in Atlanta more than doubled.
The increase has coincided with the Tour’s expanded integration with regulated sports betting platforms. The PGA Tour has affiliations with digital betting operators such as DraftKings and has broadened distribution of PGA Tour Live Betcast on the ESPN App.
The Tour expects further momentum in 2026, when PGA Tour Live Betcast, presented by DraftKings, will expand from six tournaments to 12, including The Players Championship, with more than 400 hours of streaming coverage.
The Tour has signed a new distribution agreement with Sportsradar and said broadcasts will continue to incorporate information tailored to golf bettors.
Growth has also been reported in PGA Tour Fantasy Golf, which runs from the season-opening Sony Open through the Tour Championship. According to the Tour, weekly participation increased by 21%, while first-time players rose by 23% following updates to the Fantasy Game.
The Tour has also increased betting-adjacent fan engagement through special events. On Feb. 3, it staged the “Showdown at 16,” presented by DraftKings, at the par-3 16th hole at TPC Scottsdale.
Eight golf content creators competed in a closest-to-the-pin contest ahead of the WM Phoenix Open, with the winner earning a $50,000 donation to a charity of their choice from DraftKings. Video from the event is scheduled for release across PGA Tour digital channels, content creator platforms, and DraftKings.
Original article: https://www.yogonet.com/international/news/2026/02/10/117540-pga-tour-reports-fourth-straight-year-of-doubledigit-growth-in-golf-betting
