The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series will make its Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course debut on Saturday with the running of the O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 on the 13-turn, 2.25-mile course.
While the race will represent the first time that this series will come to Lexington, Ohio, it figures not to be the last time NASCAR has a presence there. NASCAR, provided it schedules at least one event annually at Mid-Ohio, is eligible to apply for a sports wagering operator license in Ohio.
NASCAR has not submitted an application for a wagering license to the Ohio Casino Control Commission during the first application period designated by the commission, June 15-July 15. NASCAR and the PGA are two unique entities that are expected to be involved in sports betting in the state. Ohio Casino Control Commission Executive Director Matt Schuler announced on June 1 that the universal start date will be Jan. 1, 2023.
NASCAR already tied to sports betting
Sports wagering companies Penn National Gaming, BetMGM, DraftKings, Fubo, and WynnBET are listed on NASCAR’s website as official partners of the sanctioning and operating company. Any of them could end up partnering with NASCAR, in conjunction with Mid-Ohio.
NASCAR’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 race covers 151 miles in 67 laps and will complete a busy three-week run of races at Mid-Ohio. The 40th Vintage Grand Prix of Mid-Ohio took place two weeks ago, followed by Ohio’s largest annual motorsports event, the Honda Indy 200 Presented by the All-New 2023 Civic Type R. A year from now, after sports betting has launched, NASCAR’s presence in the Buckeye State is expected to be more pronounced.
The Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton, which is 70 miles east of the Mid-Ohio racetrack, became the first entity of its kind and latest stakeholder to apply for a license in Ohio when it submitted an application for Type-A and Type-B licenses on Friday. It joined JACK Cleveland Casino and JACK Thistledown Racino as the only land-based stakeholders that have submitted applications for either Type-A or Type-B licenses during the first three weeks since the commission has been accepting applications.
A total of 13 applications for licenses have been submitted, including those from two of the largest wagering companies: Penn National Gaming (mobile management services provider) and DraftKings (mobile management services provider). Plenty more stakeholders are still expected to apply for licenses, which the commission has encouraged stakeholders to do during the designated time periods in order to ensure approval to launch on the universal start date.
Applicants list slowly increasing
The commission, which shares an updated list of applicants on Friday afternoons, still awaits applications from two of the biggest mobile sports betting entities, FanDuel and Caesars, as well as from Ohio’s major sports teams. The Cleveland Browns, Cleveland Cavaliers, Cincinnati Reds, and Columbus Crew have announced deals in place with sports betting entities, but none has submitted an application.
Just under two weeks remain to account for the first application period, which is designated for Type A, B, and C proprietors, as well as mobile management services providers, management services providers, and suppliers. The second application period will be held from July 15-Aug. 15 for Type C sports gaming hosts and second designated mobile management services providers.
The commission is scheduled to hold its next meeting on July 20, during the second application period.
