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You’ll be able to bet on NASCAR races in Delaware as of next Tuesday

By Nick Tylwalk

LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 15: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was shot with a fisheye lens.) Guests attend a viewing party for the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament inside the 25,000-square-foot Race
LAS VEGAS, NV - MARCH 15: (EDITORS NOTE: This image was shot with a fisheye lens.) Guests attend a viewing party for the NCAA Men's College Basketball Tournament inside the 25,000-square-foot Race /
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When NASCAR returns to Dover this fall, you’ll be able to legally place wagers on the race as well as cheer on your favorite drivers.

Bettors, start your engines! Not yet, exactly, but sooner than anticipated, and the state that wins the race for NASCAR betting might not be the one you’d expect.

ESPN reports that Delaware will have Las Vegas-style sports betting up and running on Tuesday, June 5, at its three casinos. It will be the first state to take advantage of a recent Supreme Court ruling that opens up sports wagering, though several others are currently sprinting to get in on the action as well.

Come Tuesday afternoon, sportsbooks will be open for business in The First State:

"Delaware Park, Dover Downs Hotel & Casino and Harrington Raceway & Casino will begin taking single-game bets on baseball, football, hockey, basketball, soccer, golf and auto racing at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, the state announced Thursday."

That’s significant because Dover Downs is actually located right at Dover International Speedway, which one figures would make it a natural home for more NASCAR betting than many other casinos. However, wagers on NASCAR historically haven’t been a huge part of legal sports betting in the U.S. A recent study by UNLV shows racing lumped in with all other sports when compared to football, basketball and baseball but still lagging well behind those three when it comes to the total amount bet for 2017.

Next: Could Indy 500 winner Will Power try his hand at NASCAR?

Still, there’s clearly still room for sport gambling in general to grow, as last year was the best one ever in terms of revenue and total wagers for the Nevada sports books. NASCAR betting can certainly play a part in continued growth as it becomes legal in more states, meaning Delaware is just the tip of what could be a very large iceberg.

Would you be willing to place a legal bet on a NASCAR race if it becomes possible in your state? Drop us a comment and sound off.

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