Gambling OK with NASCAR
By MIKE FINNEY
Drivers can't bet on races, but other forms of gaming allowed
DOVER -- Many race fans are curious as to how betting on the NASCAR races at Dover International Speedway will play out if that scenario is eventually allowed by the state.
However, NASCAR strictly prohibits officials, drivers and team members from placing a bet on a race in which they are participating.
"NASCAR competitors or officials are not to gamble on NASCAR events," said Ramsey Poston, managing director of corporate communications for NASCAR. "They can, however, enjoy legal gaming if they want.
"If fact, many drivers host poker tournaments for charity. Many of our fans have fun gambling at or near many of our races, including Las Vegas, Kansas City, Phoenix, Chicago and, of course, Dover."
Some fans are skeptical about how betting on NASCAR would work at Dover.
"I would have to see how it is run," said David Krauss, of Magnolia. "The odds would have to be pretty nicely set up since there are so many cars."
Krauss agreed that anyone involved with NASCAR should not be allowed to place wagers on the races.
"Just for the same reasons baseball and football players cannot," he said. "There's too many opportunities to throw a race or a position or two.
"Too many teammates could cause issues, including the most ridiculous lucky-dog rule. People could allow other drivers that spot and affect the wagering and outcomes."
Ed Sutor, executive vice president and COO of Dover Downs Gaming & Entertainment, is looking forward to increased activity at his casino, particularly on NASCAR weekends.
"The state is pushing to get sports betting in operation before the football season," Sutor said. "There are several types of motorsports betting that are possible, including 'horse-racing style.' Fans could also bet on teams, makes of cars winning, etc. ..."
Tom Campbell, of Dover, said he would be interested in placing bets on the NASCAR races at Dover. Campbell has placed wagers in Las Vegas and Atlantic City, usually at the blackjack tables, and is excited about the expansion of the gaming industry in Delaware. A lifelong Eagles fan, he cannot wait for the introduction of sports betting in the state.
"I think being able to bet on the NASCAR races at Dover would be a win-win for everybody," Campbell said. "If you have some knowledge of the sport, you can make an educated wager that might pay off.
"It's not like just going up to a random slot machine and sticking a dollar into it, pulling the lever, and then going home mad because your dollar, or more realistically -- dollars -- are gone in an instant.
Integrity's a certain bet
DelawareOnline.com
DOVER -- The casino is on the other side of the track at Dover International Speedway, an easy five-minute walk from the drivers' trailers parked along the infield. Just go up the stairs to the crossover bridge, down the embankment, turn left, walk about 50 yards, and you're there.
If the drivers don't feel like walking, a cart could pick them up and take them to the casino in about a minute.
If there were so-called "shady characters" hoping to influence one of the drivers, there wouldn't be an easier place to get to them than by walking out the doors of the casino and finding one of them.
"Hey, easily influenced driver with millions of dollars in career earnings, how about easing up on the gas on the last lap and letting this other guy win, and we'll make it worth your while?" one of those shady characters might say with a wink while casually walking by a driver in the NASCAR garage.
This possible, but unlikely, scenario is one of the reasons why the NFL is so against sports betting in Delaware. The league is worried that a sports betting parlor located less than an hour from the Eagles' complex would give those bad people out there the potential to influence players and perhaps ruin the integrity of the games.
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said as much in a letter to Delaware Gov. Jack Markell back in March: "State-promoted gambling not only adds to the pressure on our coaches and players, but creates suspicion and cynicism toward every on-the-field mistake that affects the betting line."
The NCAA has taken a similar stand, threatening to ban Delaware and Delaware State from hosting playoff games even though their games would not be eligible for wagering.
So why isn't NASCAR worried about this? Why not one word of protest, one threat to move the Dover races, one threat of a federal lawsuit?
"We haven't seen anything yet to cause us concern," said Ramsey Poston, NASCAR's managing director of corporate communications.
What? Can't Poston see the casino along the far straightaway? By the time the fall race rolls around, which is during the Chase for the Sprint Cup championship, the sports book should be up and running. That's the most important part of the Sprint Cup season. There will be big gambling money at stake then.
"It's not an issue," Poston said.
Wasn't he worried that a driver could bet on himself to finish out of the money, then make sure that he does?
"Our competitors know not to gamble on NASCAR events," Poston said. "They're welcome to go to the casinos to play the slots or the table games. The bottom line is, many of our fans love to gamble in a legal and fun way. Overall, it's good for the sport.
"We have a lot of events near casinos. We're sponsored by some of them."
Poston was simply talking crazy.
The NFL would never put its logos on state lotteries, or mention betting lines on its very own network. And the NCAA would never hold a postseason football bowl game in a city like Las Vegas, which allows sports gambling, or allow playoff games in the state of Montana, another state that has a sports lottery, or allow gamblers to bet on a college team located in Las Vegas.
What? All of that already happens.
Certainly the drivers themselves would never stand for any of this.
"I'm kind of oblivious to the whole thing, but it sounds kind of cool to me," Mark Martin said.
Aren't they worried that someone could potentially get to them at the track?
"I find it hard to believe that location really has anything to do with it," Jeff Burton said. "Shady characters can come from Las Vegas as well as they can come from Delaware. I think it's best to stay away from it. I don't even know if there is a policy in place about it. ... At the end of the day, you have to have the integrity that makes you make the right decision."
That's just as true at the casino in Dover as it is anywhere else.