NASCAR takes right turn on attitude toward legal betting
Las Vegas racer Gaughan aids in organization’s evolution
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Brendan Gaughan is the son of a casino magnate and has long grasped the allure of throwing down a few bucks to wager on a sporting event.
Heck, Gaughan once bet on himself in Las Vegas to win the 2004 Daytona 500. Gaughan got a stern talking to from NASCAR back in the day when gambling was perhaps the most taboo topic in sports. March Madness brackets, Super Bowl prop bets — they all go hand-inhand with the biggest games as much as the highlights, but wagers on the upstart underdog or 5-1 favorite were saved for Vegas, office pools and the neighborhood bookie operating illegally.
But societal attitudes — and more to the point, laws — toward betting have evolved, leading even sports leagues to loosen their stances as a new world of potential partnerships and revenue streams has opened.
Count NASCAR as the latest sport racing toward the gambling industry.
“The more people betting and playing fantasy games on your sport, the more people watch,” Gaughan, a part-time Cup driver, said during Daytona 500 qualifying. “NASCAR has always known that. They still know that.”
Gaughan is happy to give NASCAR fans and the betting public the latest inside scoop on the sport. He co-hosts both the “Fantasy Racing Preview with Pete Pistone” on Siriusxm and “Gone Racin’ ” on VSIN, a national sports gambling news network that broadcasts from the South Point, which is owned by Gaughan’s father, Michael.
“When it comes to fantasy sports and betting on NASCAR races, there’s nothing wrong with it,” Brendan Gaughan said.
NASCAR is on board — and on the betting boards of sportsbooks from Nevada and beyond — with legalized betting in 2019.
“I wanted to go all in on gambling last year,” NASCAR executive Steve O’donnell said.
But NASCAR took a step back and scanned the gambling landscape before implementing gambling guidelines in the rulebook for this season. Among the new restrictions: Drivers and team members are banned from betting on races or disclosing confidential information. They are allowed to participate in fantasy sports relating to the three national touring series, Cup, Xfinity and Truck, but may not accept prizes with a value of more than $250 in any games. The bans are in line with other major sports.
NASCAR partnered with Sportradar Integrity Services to develop a comprehensive gambling policy intended to protect the sport from cheating scandals.
“We have so many people that are linked to the cars. I think the integrity is a big piece to it,” O’donnell said.
Action not just on track
Nevada’s effective monopoly on sports betting ended last spring, when the Supreme Court ruled the ban should be lifted. Casinos in seven other states — Rhode Island, Delaware, Mississippi, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and New Mexico — now accept wagers on sports. The list is expected to grow by next year with numerous states considering bills.
Dover International Speedway, because of its alliance with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino on the same property, pounced and opened an on-site kiosk for its fall race and became the only track that allowed sports gambling on its property. The white tent was nearly as popular a stop as a selfie in front of the Monster Mile and the track will bring it back for the May race.
Fantasy NASCAR is already popular, with both Fanduel and Draftkings offering bettors the chance to create lineups each week. With only one elite series race each weekend, NASCAR has less volume than some of the stick and ball sports.
“Most people will say that the online experience is really where the volume is going to be,” Hensley said.
There are more gambling tie-ins for the sport on the horizon: Speedway Motorsports Inc. and Equilottery
Games announced plans for Car Clash, a three-number lottery draw game based on race results. NASCAR also will allow race teams to have sports gambling sponsors at all races.
Anyone in NASCAR caught breaking the gambling rules faces the possibility of suspension, indefinite suspension or termination.
“The rules are in place,” Hensley said, “but you can’t legislate human behavior.”