scale.labels.backgroundString
The background color of the labels. Any valid CSS color string will work here, including hex and rgb
Example
<div id="gauge"></div>
<script>
$("#gauge").kendoLinearGauge({
    pointer: {
        value: 30
    },
    scale: {
        min: 0,
        max: 50,
        labels: {
            background: "#fff3e0",
            color: "#e65100"
        }
    }
});
</script>
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