The Continuing Evolution of BMX
Fast times and high stakes on the BMX track

Bicycle motocross, more popularly known as BMX, continues to enjoy a tremendous amount of popularity and grassroots support from its passionate fanbase. From its humble beginnings as an outgrowth of motocross in the early 1970s, BMX has attracted a consistently high level of competition from all over the world. Indeed, the International Olympic Committee made BMX a full medal Olympic sport for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. In a similar vein, BMX in the U.S. has evolved into a well-run sport with national, regional, state and local events throughout the country. USA BMX, widely recognized as the preeminent non-profit BMX racing organization in the world, puts out a full schedule of races every year as part of its acclaimed National Series, spanning several cities across the nation. As part of their 2013 National Series, USA BMX headed to the South Point Hotel and Casino for the Las Vegas Nationals.

Located at 9777 Las Vegas Boulevard South, the South Point Hotel and Casino, much like every other casino in Sin City, offers a diverse variety of gaming amenities for its many discerning guests. The casino pit also features more than 60 table games including 21, Craps, Roulette, Fortune Pai Gow Poker, Baccarat, Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em and Three Card Poker with Progressive. Additionally, the bingo room has 600 seats and features Cash Ball and the Progressive Double Action Jackpot. The adjacent South Point Arena and Equestrian Center played host to three days of world-class BMX racing for the 2013 USA BMX Las Vegas Nationals, which was staged last July 12-14. Hundreds of amateur and professional BMX racers across various classes – men and women, boys and girls, from novice seven-year-olds to veteran adults – assembled at the indoor track to compete in several grueling races that tested their stamina, endurance, resilience and overall toughness.

The robust BMX racing scene in the U.S. is concrete proof that the sport is in yet another global boom period. More and more BMX fans are taking calculated gambles on their passions by setting up their own local BMX clubs. Recently, England’s Nottingham Outlaws BMX Club received nearly £1,000 from the Cash 4 Clubs initiative, which is funded by online gaming firm BetFair and UK charity SportsAid. Established in 2008, the Cash 4 Clubs program aims to put funding into grassroots sport in the UK.

From the grand stage of the Olympics to classy casinos in the U.S., BMX is an exciting, high-risk sport that appeals to people of all ages and backgrounds. Clearly, it’s a great time to be a BMX fan.