“Organized gambling would be bad for our sport… I’ll fight it to the end!” These were the firm words of Bill France Sr., NASCAR’s founder and former CEO, who strongly opposed gambling in motorsports. Despite his stance, NASCAR eventually embraced sports betting after the Supreme Court allowed states to regulate gambling. Now, Kyle Larson, regarded as one of the best Cup racers today, is following a similar path—though many fans align themselves with France’s traditionalist view.
Kyle Larson Expands High Limit Racing with Sports Betting
After establishing the High Limit Racing Series in 2022 with his brother-in-law Brad Sweet, Larson has sought innovative ways to grow the series. Their initiatives included slashing the race schedule from 86 to 20 events in 2023 and offering lucrative prizes to attract top drivers. Now, the duo plans to introduce sports betting to their series—a move that has sparked skepticism among fans.
Nicknamed “Yung Money”, Larson is leaning into his financial vision for racing. Following NASCAR’s footsteps, which embraced legalized sports gambling in September 2020, Larson aims to integrate betting into High Limit Racing. NASCAR made history as the first league to partner with the American Gaming Association, collaborating with authorized gaming platforms like BetMGM, WynnBET, and Penn Entertainment. Though NASCAR doesn’t receive a percentage of bets, it benefits from partnerships with data providers. Larson now hopes to replicate this model in his series.
In a recent interview, Brad Sweet unveiled their plan:
“We’re going to launch a partnership with AllSports, so we’re going to have sports betting on High Limit races in 2025. We think that will be a great added aspect for fan engagement and more reason for fans to tune in to watch what High Limit’s doing.”
Sweet highlighted the global trend of sports betting and its role in fan engagement:
“Across the world… fan engagement is super-competitive in any outdoor entertainment. There’s a lot of sports betting going on… We have an exciting product… If (fans) are tuned in and sports betting, it’s showcasing our drivers.”
Fan Skepticism Surrounds the Initiative
While the move could boost Larson’s relatively young series, fans remain divided. Some are wary of the potential risks, citing past scandals in other sports. For instance, Shohei Ohtani, a Los Angeles Dodgers star, lost over $16 million due to his interpreter’s gambling debts. Similarly, NFL player Calvin Ridley was suspended in 2022 for betting on NFL games. These incidents highlight the dangers of mixing gambling with sports.
Fans questioned the safeguards in place for Larson’s venture. One asked:
“So how are we going to protect the integrity of your series from the top? This has controversy written all over it.”
Another dismissed the idea outright:
“Because that’s what’s needed… more stupid sports betting.”
Concerns about insider betting also surfaced:
“It could either destroy the series with inside betting, or it could make it more popular. I’m leaning towards insider betting… they don’t make enough money; greed will be out there.”
Lessons from NASCAR’s Past
Gambling in motorsports has long been contentious. Back in 1961, when the Federation of Professional Athletes proposed parimutuel betting for auto racing, Bill France Sr. staunchly opposed it. Before 2018, when gambling was restricted to Nevada, NASCAR accounted for only 1-2% of bets nationwide. Today, NASCAR maintains strict policies to prevent drivers or employees from betting on its events, partnering with Sportradar to monitor integrity.
Fans believe Larson’s series, still in its infancy, faces significant risks. One cautioned:
“Phenomenal idea… just be sure to have a hell of a tech director. Another national tour started this last season only to have tech inspections go by the wayside. Funny business going on? Probably not. Conflict of interest? Absolutely!”
A Risky Gamble for Yung Money
Kyle Larson’s vision for High Limit Racing reflects bold ambition, but fan excitement has been lukewarm. While sports betting might attract new audiences, it could also jeopardize the series’ integrity. The racing community remains divided, and only time will tell whether Larson’s gamble pays off or crashes under its own weight.
