Start your engines and place your bets — Las Vegas is taking action on virtual NASCAR racing.
Nevada Gaming Control on Friday announced that the state’s sportsbooks could offer betting on the 2020 eNASCAR iRacing Pro Invitational Series, beginning with this weekend’s event from virtual Bristol Motor Speedway. It’s the first time Nevada sportsbooks have been allowed to take bets on a virtual auto racing event.
“I’d love to have it on the board,” Matt Metcalf, head of Las Vegas sportsbook operator Circa Sports, told ESPN. “A million viewers last week … people are paying attention.”
Traditionally, Nevada regulators have been hesitant to allow betting on esports, but have become more accepting recently with sportsbooks scrambling for offerings during the coronavirus pandemic. In recent days, Nevada Gaming Control also approved wagering on esports Counter-Strike and 2020 ESL One Dota Los Angeles tournaments.
DraftKings’ sportsbook in West Virginia was the only U.S. sportsbook to offer wagering on last weekend’s eNASCAR event.
— ESPN —