Betting Hero Research Uncovers Potential For Regional Betting Growth in the Sport.

Betting Hero, the leading customer acquisition, retention, and development partner for U.S. sportsbooks, has embarked on a consumer research collaboration with NASCAR to help the respective companies and their shared sportsbook operator clients better understand and serve North Carolina NASCAR fans with premium betting experiences.

Laying the foundation for continued fan engagement and future acquisition campaigns, Betting Hero has completed a research study, comprised of qualified bettors in the Tar Heel State to uncover their engagement preferences for NASCAR as both sports fans and bettors.

The study, which took place both online and in person in April 2024, shows a significant demand for NASCAR as a betting product in North Carolina. Respondents are almost three times more likely to bet on the sport than in previously surveyed states.

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NASCAR ranked behind only the NFL, NBA, and MLB in betting activity by the study respondents, with 70% stating that they’ve watched a race for the first time because they’ve placed a bet on it.

“Having worked closely with NASCAR to educate its fans on the betting options available to them for several years, we have long believed in the opportunity to both attract new fans to the sport and better engage existing fans through thoughtfully curated betting experiences,” said Jai Maw, Co-Founder and President of Batting Hero. 

Maw continued, ”As is shown in the North Carolina study conducted by our in-house consumer research division, there is a clear correlation between most fans’ enjoyment or engagement in a sporting event and their betting activity overall. However, NASCAR fans have to work a little harder than fans of other major sports to find their betting preferences due to less available markets and prop betting options on average. Those that can find their preferred betting markets could also be more likely to remain loyal to their sportsbook of choice than fans of other sports where available markets are somewhat commoditized.”

As a market audience, 86% of North Carolinians see betting as a true complement to sporting enjoyment. They’re also loyal and active bettors, with over half of respondents having downloaded three gambling apps and almost 90% still using their primary sportsbook after registration.

Significantly, certain sportsbooks surveyed showed a disproportionately high level of NASCAR betting activity compared to brand awareness in the target group, which could suggest that having a strong NASCAR betting offering is more important than other factors in the registration decision process.

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“NASCAR has extremely passionate fans and we see sports betting as another way they can engage with sport,” said Joe Solosky, Managing Director of Sports Betting at NASCAR. “We are excited, but not surprised, to see the success of NASCAR as an offering through the launch of sports betting in the industry’s backyard of North Carolina and are continuing to better improve the NASCAR betting product to give fans more options to responsibly engage with action on the track. The study discovered that 70 percent of respondents watched a race for the first time because they placed a bet on it, and it shows that our efforts in the space can attract new fans as well.”

North Carolina has quickly risen to the top tier of states for NASCAR betting volume, ranking among the top three states in its first two months since launch. Across the 20 states that were live in March and April of 2023, NASCAR’s handle has seen a substantial 15% year-over-year growth. In states like Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, and Mississippi, NASCAR’s handle has surged by at least 50% compared to the previous year. Even more impressively, in Nevada and New York, NASCAR’s handle has doubled year over year, indicating a significant increase in interest and betting activity in these regions.

Resident Culture Bar & Kitchen will be hosting a NASCAR post-party on Saturday, May 25th, for the Xfinity race the weekend of the Coke 600 and a Race Watch party for the Cup Series Coke 600 on Sunday, May 26th. Betting Hero‘s team of experts will be in attendance to help answer any sports betting-related questions for fans and patrons while ensuring all enjoy their experience betting on NASCAR responsibly.

Betmotion is pleased to announce that BetSocial, its Corporate Social Responsibility project, has achieved significant success in its recent autism awareness campaign in partnership with the AFETO Association.

For the second consecutive year, this collaboration has not only promoted awareness of autism but also raised significant funds to support children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).

BetSocial’s initiative demonstrated Betmotion’s commitment to social impact, highlighting its role in promoting community well-being. Over three days, the “Cofrinho Solidário” bingo room was the hub of activities, where 100% of the proceeds from sold bingo cards were directly reverted to the AFETO Association. This year, the campaign doubled the funds raised compared to the previous year and significantly increased card sales, demonstrating a growing community engagement.

“BetSocial was created to broaden our social action and strengthen the communities we interact with,” said Bianca Passos, Bingo Manager and one of the founders of BetSocial. “This campaign reflects our commitment to not only entertain but also positively contribute to society. We are thrilled with the support received and the results achieved, and this only reinforces the importance of initiatives like this.”

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Automatic spots and a trip to Royal Ascot are on the line this Saturday at Gulfstream Park, with a pair of two-year-old turf stakes (the Royal Palm Juvenile and Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies) bearing important international implications. These five-furlong sprints each carry $120,000 purses and boast capacity fields of 12.

The Royal Palm series, launched last May, produced immediate returns in its inaugural year, with Crimson Advocate winning the Juvenile Fillies at Gulfstream Park before going on to land the prestigious Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes. Once again, this innovative series’ winners will receive an automatic berth into one of six two-year-old events at Royal Ascot, alongside a free equine travel stipend for shipping from the US.

Innovative partnerships like the Royal Palm are helping to improve North American participation and boost international interest at the world’s biggest meetings. 1/ST are putting their shoulders to the wheel for other ground-breaking initiatives in the immediate future, including recent partnerships with The Jockey Club (for the Group 1 Coral-Eclipse and the My Pension Expert July Cup) and France Galop (for the Group 1 Sumbe Prix Jean Romanet Stakes).

Meet the contenders for the Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies (Race 8):

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#1-CHINA BLUE: Outrun fifth of 6 at Gulfstream May 2 and would be wheeling back on 9 days’ rest for trainer Javier Gonzalez. Last year’s runners in this race who had a Gulfstream prior outing finished fourth, eighth and ninth.

#2-KIP THE DISTANCE: Close-up second in debut dirt sprint at Gulfstream 9 days ago when finishing 6 lengths in front of returning rival China Blue. Sent off at nearly 22-1 at first asking for trainer Angel Rodriguez. Last year’s runners in this race who had a Gulfstream prior outing finished fourth, eighth and ninth.

#3-BUNRATTY MANOR: Trainer George Weaver (pictured above) swept last year’s Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile in the inaugural year for the event. Son of No Nay Never, who sired last year’s Royal Palm Juvenile winner No Nay Mets. Pair of turf works at Palm Beach Downs among the morning prep work for Saturday’s first outing. Sold for $195,000 at Goff’s yearling sale.

#4-YOU NEED ME: Rookie colt is by Triple Crown winner American Pharoah’s less-accomplished full-brother St. Patrick’s Day. Sold for $50,000 at Ocala in March and debuts off a series of dirt works for trainer J. David Braddy.

#5-BULLET: Trainer Mark Casse was third in this race last year with The Myth. Brings this $425,000 Keeneland September Yearling Sale buy to her debut off a long series of works at Casse farm and Palm Meadows. War Front colt is a maternal grandson of Surfside and great-grandson of Flanders, providing optimism for superior 2-year-old performances.

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#6-RAMSEY POND: Owner Ken Ramsey’s sharp-working debut runner by Divisidero drew $100,000 at the Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. and jockey Samy Camacho have strong 8-17 mark in tandem in recent years.

#7-THE QUEENS M G: 45-1 upset winner of her Keeneland dirt debut from tough post 11 was privately purchased and transferred to Saffie Joseph Jr.’s barn after that race. Last year’s winner Crimson Advocate was coming off a debut third on dirt at Keeneland. Has turf in her damside pedigree as her fourth dam Parade Green won the 1997 Mrs. Revere and 1998 Joe Namath (latter at Gulfstream) on turf.

#8-BOIS BLANC: Keeneland turf sprint debut runner-up at 24-1 odds was clearly second-best in that 11-runner lineup. Expect some early developers by sire First Samurai. Trainer Justin Wojczynski had a productive Keeneland meet with limited starters, just as his overall 2024 stats indicate.

#9-PERFECT SHANCES: Led every step in her lone start, a Keeneland dirt dash that clocked fifth-fastest of 9 two-year-old races at the 2024 Spring Meet. Trainer Wesley Ward finished second in this race last year with Ocean Mermaid, bet to 4-5 favoritism in her career debut. Last year’s winner Crimson Advocate was coming off a debut third on dirt at Keeneland. By dirt sprint star Shancelot, but her dam is full-sister to Sweet Harmony, who opened her career 2-2 including Monmouth’s Colleen Stakes turf sprinting.

#10-GOOD LONG CRY: Rookie enters on a modest string of 3-furlong drills on turf and dirt. Trainer George Weaver swept last year’s Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile in the inaugural year for the event. Sire Long On Value opened his career 3-3, earned more than $1 million and was a Grade 1-winning turf sprinter.

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#11-MY EMMY: Trainer Mark Casse was third in this race last year with The Myth and notably campaigned this filly’s sire War of Will to 2019 Preakness glory and eventually Grade 1-winning turf credentials. Trio of published workouts at Palm Meadows includes a pair of half-miles on turf.

#12-UNCHAINED ELAINE: Clear-cut runner-up in her April 12 Gulfstream dirt sprint debut. Daughter of Triple Crown winner American Pharoah, who, at stud, has had his most success with turf fillies. Trainer Patrick Biancone, who trained the dam Razorback Lady to success sprinting on dirt and turf, turns to jockey Keith Asmussen, fresh off the conclusion of the Oaklawn Park meeting. Last year’s runners in this race who had a Gulfstream prior outing finished fourth, eighth and ninth.

Meet the contenders for the Royal Palm Juvenile (Race 10):

#1-MAKEIT TO CHEYENNE: From the female family of elite sprinter Munnings, this son of Breeders’ Cup Dirt Mile winner Liam’s Map debuts for trainer Mark Casse. Series of workouts at Palm Meadows includes one on turf and a bullet on dirt May 4.

#2-ENTERDADRAGON: $17,000 purchase by Outwork debuts off a series of 7 workouts at Palm Meadows, the most recent of which came on turf. Outwork sired last year’s brilliant early season 2-year-old filly Brightwork, winner of the Debutante, Adirondack and Spinaway Stakes. Jose D’Angelo trains the direct descendent of the legendary mare Personal Ensign, his fourth dam.

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#3-MADROC: Constitution colt chased and tired to be fifth in his Keeneland turf debut April 25, finishing behind Royal Palm Juvenile rival Bright Skittle. Ocala-based colt returns to Florida for trainer Mary Lightner. Dam Holly Hundy was a Colonial Downs turf sprint stakes winner.

#4-CLASSY WAR: Trainer Mark Casse notably campaigned this colt’s sire War of Will to 2019 Preakness glory and eventually Grade 1-winning turf credentials. Boasts bullet drills on turf not once, but twice, at Palm Meadows for the debut, notable this time of year when working amongst older horses.

#5-REACH FOR THE ROSE: Home-bred debuts for owner Ken Ramsey and trainer Saffie Joseph Jr. By Holy Bull-Florida Derby winner Audible and whose second dam was a juvenile turf stakes winner for the Ramseys. Solid turf work coming into this capped a string of 6 clocked morning moves.

#6-I KNOW I KNOW: Long, strong series of 8 workouts for the debut, including a bullet on turf at Palm Meadows on Sunday. Trainer Patrick Biancone tabs Keith Asmussen to ride, fresh off the Oaklawn meeting that closed last weekend. Sire Jess’s Dream, the impeccable son of Curlin-Rachel Alexandra, won his 1 and only start before going to stud. His best success at stud has been with turfer My Dani Girl.

#7-GABALDON: $9,000 purchase by Gone Astray debuts after 7 Palm Meadows published workouts for Jose D’Angelo. Solid turf move April 26 among those. D’Angelo teams with Emisael Jaramillo, winning at a 20% rate in tandem over the past year-plus.

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#8-RAISE THE BAR: Cruised to victory in his lone start, a Keeneland dirt dash that clocked second-fastest of 9 two-year-old races at the 2024 Spring Meet. Trainer Wesley Ward finished seventh in this race last year with 4-5 favorite and debut runner Holding the Line. Ward has trained 2 other offspring of this mare, both of which found the winner’s circle in their first or second start.

#9-BRIGHT SKITTLE: Late-running debut third on turf at Keeneland on April 25, finishing 1 length in front of Royal Palm Juvenile rival Madroc after a troubled break. $142,000 pricetag on this son of Twirling Candy and the debut-winning mare Harbor Lights (her first foal to race). Trainer Rusty Arnold has had many top turf sprinters in his care, including Leinster and Gear Jockey.

#10-GOVERNOR SAM: Trainer George Weaver swept last year’s Royal Palm Juvenile Fillies and Juvenile in the inaugural year for the event, winning this race with debut runner No Nay Mets. This rookie sold for $275,000 at Ocala in April and is from the first crop of $2.7 million earner Improbable. Grandsire City Zip long known for turf sprint success at stud. Bullet workout on dirt at Palm Beach Downs April 25 among 2 published drills. Dam I’m Betty G was a multiple stakes winner on turf.

#11-INCANTO: Stonestreet Stable looks to continue its annual treks to Royal Ascot with this Irish-bred rookie who is working bullets. Jack Sisterson trains, while much of the Stonestreet-to-Ascot history came with Wesley Ward. Sire Mehmas best known to US players for exported offspring Going Global and Chez Pierre.

#12-GARDEN OF WAR: Like Classy War in this same field, trainer Mark Casse notably campaigned this colt’s sire War of Will to 2019 Preakness glory and eventually Grade 1-winning turf credentials. Back-to-back bullet workouts at Palm Meadows on dirt and turf coming into the career debut. Casse turns here to jockey Miguel Vasquez, a 21% winning combination over the past year-plus.

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