By
Blake Roberts
Founder & Editor in Chief Updated: 03 March 2025
Blake Roberts Founder & Editor in Chief
Blake Roberts is the founder of Betting.US and is currently heading the creative team as Editor in Chief. Born and raised in Morgantown, West Virginia, Blake is a great sports fan, with football and basketball being his favorite. He’s our trusted voice for all betting-related matters.
NASCAR is steering towards a significant evolution in its wagering landscape, proposing a pari-mutuel betting model not dissimilar to the time-honored tradition of horse racing. This innovative approach, aimed at broadening betting opportunities and mitigating risk for sportsbook operators, involves a strategic partnership with 1/ST TECHNOLOGY, a division of Stronach Group that’s a prominent figure in Thoroughbred horse racing.
The alliance between NASCAR and 1/ST TECHNOLOGY seeks to implement pooled wagering on stock car races, which could generate a surge in wagering opportunities and captivate a wider audience. This model, deeply ingrained in horse racing culture, pools all bets together, with odds dynamically fluctuating based on the distribution of wagers.
The “house” in this scenario takes a predetermined percentage of the total handle, effectively creating a “risk-free environment” for sportsbook operators. This is a significant advantage in the often volatile world of sports betting.
Joseph Solosky, managing director of sports betting for NASCAR, had the following to say:
I looked at the format of horse racing, and I looked at the format of motorsports racing, and it’s not that dissimilar. So, we feel that this pari-mutuel offering for our fans is going to offer a similar market that you’ll see for when they bet on other sports.
Currently, NASCAR betting primarily revolves around fixed-odds wagers on race winners or top finishers, limiting the diversity of available options. Pari-mutuel wagering would unlock a plethora of new betting avenues.
Mirroring the rich tapestry of betting options found in horse racing, NASCAR fans could place bets like exactas, trifectas, superfectas, and multi-race bets like Pick 3s and Pick 6s. It is hoped the expansion will enhance fan engagement and provide a more immersive betting experience.
NASCAR plans a planned, phased rollout of pari-mutuel betting, initially introducing familiar markets like race winners and placings. This measured approach will allow a smooth transition and ensure fans are comfortable with the new system.
Over time, they intend to introduce more exotic bets and multi-race wagers, offering enticing jackpots and carryovers to heighten the betting experience further and create a sense of anticipation.
1ST/TECHNOLOGY is at the helm of developing the sophisticated back-end platform for pari-mutual wagering, leveraging NASCAR’s official timing and scoring data. The successful implementation of this new betting model hinges on obtaining crucial regulatory approvals from state gaming commissions. NASCAR has proactively initiated dialogues with regulators and sportsbook operators to navigate the intricate process of securely the necessary approvals.
NASCAR is strategically targeting a launch of pari-mutuel wagering in one state, with one operator, by the NASCAR playoffs in the fall of 2025. The organization focuses on “mature” states with well-established regulatory frameworks, ensuring a smoother integration process.
The goal is to scale the offering to a broader range of states and operators by the 2026 season, solidifying pari-mutuel betting’s place in the NASCAR landscape.
Pari-mutuel wagering could unlock substantial new revenue streams for NASCAR, with the organization receiving a portion of the takeout from each race. The exact takeout rate is still being carefully considered. Still, it is expected to be higher than in horse racing due to the larger number of participants in NASCAR events, reflecting the increased complexity of the sport.
The introduction of pari-mutuel wagering is anticipated to catalyze growth in fixed-odds betting, creating a synergistic effect. If sportsbooks witness a surge in interest in NASCAR, they may expand their offerings and provide more diverse betting markets, benefiting the sport and its fans.
In the long term, NASCAR envisions the possibility of offering pari-mutuel wagering in states that have legalized pari-mutuel betting but not fixed odds sports betting, potentially opening new markets like California. This ambitious vision underlines NASCAR’s commitment to innovation and its desire to reach a wider audience, solidifying its position as a leader in the world of motorsports entertainment.
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