Auto racing is the big thing in Las Vegas this week, so I thought that people might appreciate this item from Sports Illustrated about the fact and fantasy of betting on NASCAR. For example…
Most Nevada gambling establishments will offer a variety of wagers. While this includes action on events such as “most laps led,” it doesn’t include exotic wagers such as the ones associated with the Super Bowl (winning the coin flip, first touchdown, first turnover, etc.).
Since those bets provide the most entertainment, we’ve coupled some fantasy wagers that Nevada should consider with some facts about gambling on NASCAR.
Fact: Ten years ago, it was hard to find any place to make a legal wager on NASCAR. That’s changed as every Nevada sports book will now take your stock-car money.
Fact: Nevada has patterned its NASCAR wages after ones it already had in place for a couple of other individual sports, golf and tennis. The two most popular wages are picking the event winner and picking the winner of a head-to-head driver match-up. Bettors usually don’t get to pick the match-ups, but can select from a dozen or more established by the gambling house.
Fact: Unlike other sports, NASCAR doesn’t have any rules against drivers gambling. The reason? Officials can always use its all-powerful “actions detrimental to the sport” provision. NASCAR officials, always doing whatever it takes to grow the sport, don’t mind that casinos sponsor cars and events. They do want to be able to step in, however, if a particular individual gets out of control.
Fact: Nevada gives odds on a driver winning the season championship not only in Nextel Cup, but in the Busch and Craftsman Series.
SI.com – Writers – Marke Zezke: Fact and fiction about gambling on NASCAR races – Wednesday March 8, 2006 12:35PM
I didn’t put the “fantasy” stuff in there, so click through to read that if you are so inclined.