NBC Sports Washington to offer alternate betting-based broadcasts

The rising impact of betting on the professional sports landscape in the US will be on display on Friday when NBC Sports Washington will offer an alternate gambling-based telecast of Washington Wizards’ game against the Milwaukee Bucks.

It will be the first of eight such broadcasts on NBC Sports Washington Plus, the regional sports network’s overflow channel, for the remainder of the Wizards’ season.

Friday’s coverage will feature a free-to-play predictive contest with a $500 prize, along with real-time sports-betting odds and statistics alongside the action.

“Combining the excitement of live Wizards games with engaging predictive gaming and data feeds will deliver a very entertaining experience for viewers, from first-time gaming players to savvy sports bettors,” NBC Sports Washington senior vice president and general manager Damon Phillips said.

“The level of interest from fans, partners and sponsors in this area continues to increase, so we are pleased to offer this compelling product this season.”