NASCAR and IMG Arena to launch virtual sports betting game

21 May 2020

IMG Arena announced that it has licensed official assets to create a virtual sports betting game that replicates some of NASCAR’s most iconic tracks. The virtual product, created by Leap Faming, will be offered to sports betting operators across the world.

NASCAR and IMG Arena have formed also signed a long-term partnership that will provide international sports betting operators to ability to live-stream NASCAR Cup Series races that returned last Sunday at Darlington Raceway for the first time. The remaining of the season will be available to betting operators outside of the U.S. and Canada.

“IMG Arena is the leading partner for global sports and entertainment media. We are excited to work together to provide a global audience the ability to engage with our sport virtually and in real-time,” said Scott Warfield, Managing Director of Gaming, NASCAR. “The international sports gaming landscape is mature and vibrant, and this partnership allows us to offer compelling products that further enhance our international footprint.” 

“Adding NASCAR to our client roster is a proud achievement. The brand is renowned in sport and entertainment with the high-octane race series providing must-watch, appointment-viewing content for more than 70 years,” said Freddie Longe, Executive Vice President and Managing Director at IMG Arena. “The partnership significantly bolsters our streaming and official virtual sports offering with a product that we expect to be popular in a number of different markets.” 

This partnership follows an announcement made earlier this year introducing Penn National Gaming as NASCAR’s first authorized gaming operator in the United States. The partnership is centered around the free-to-play, mobile game NASCAR Finish Line, which offers players the chance to win a $25,000 jackpot every race.  

In the past year, NASCAR announced a series of agreements to prepare the industry and its fans for the rapidly growing sports betting landscape in the U.S., including its first authorized gaming operator, an exclusive data partnership, an integrity partner to safeguard and protect the sport, and unique content deals. Furthermore, the sanctioning body granted all teams and tracks the ability to sell marketing sponsorships to sports betting companies and licensed sportsbooks.