Las Vegas gets in the game: Esports in Sin City – Esports

Las Vegas is strategically enhancing its position in the gambling and entertainment sectors with an expanded wagering menu and the development of the $1.9 billion, 18,000-seat immersive venue, MSG Sphere. This venue is poised to establish Las Vegas as the esports capital of the United States.

While the American casino industry has traditionally been slow to embrace esports wagering, New Jersey stands out as an early adopter, having broadened its sports betting regulations earlier this year. Now, Nevada is stepping up to capture a stake in this burgeoning global phenomenon, following in the footsteps of its reputation as a hub for championship boxing and mixed martial arts.

The state’s Esports Technical Advisory Committee convened for its second meeting in July, setting an ambitious October deadline to develop regulatory frameworks. This includes establishing a comprehensive wagering menu for various esports leagues and tournaments, as well as determining the types of bets to be accepted, including in-play wagering options.

Once finalized, these recommendations will be presented to the Nevada Gaming Control Board and Nevada Gaming Commission for approval before year-end.

Despite the potential, esports wagering has been slow to gain traction in Las Vegas, primarily due to existing regulations that require casino sportsbooks to seek state approval for each event they wish to bet on. However, advocates believe that with the expanding wagering landscape and the upcoming launch of MSG Sphere at The Venetian in late 2023, this trend is set to change.

MSG Sphere is being hailed as one of the most innovative entertainment venues ever constructed. While its primary focus will be on concerts, esports will share the stage alongside boxing and mixed martial arts events.

Notably, Madison Square Garden, which operates MSG Sphere, has previously hosted esports events in New York City, demonstrating its commitment to the industry.

Additionally, Las Vegas boasts other venues qualified to host esports events, such as Allegiant Stadium, a 62,500-seat arena that opened in 2020 and can accommodate major esports championships.

Pioneering Advocates in Esports

Seth Schorr, CEO of Fifth Street Gaming and a founding member of the Nevada Esports Alliance, is among the most vocal proponents of esports in Las Vegas. He has actively collaborated with the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority to position both Las Vegas and Nevada as premier destinations for in-person esports tournaments.

“Our ongoing efforts significantly enhance our image and attract tournament operators and publishers to choose Las Vegas for their events,” Schorr states. “With our extensive airlift options and over 150,000 hotel rooms, Las Vegas is uniquely positioned as an ideal location for major events. Now that we’ve established ourselves as a traditional sports mecca, esports naturally follows suit.”

Brett Abarbanel, director of research at the University of Nevada Las Vegas’ International Gaming Institute, concurs, noting that the overarching goal remains to establish Las Vegas as a global hub for esports. With a solid foundation already in place, the expansion of wagering will facilitate this growth.

The Evolution Championship Series and Notable Esports Events

The Evolution Championship Series (Evo), a focal point for fighting games, has been a fixture in Las Vegas for several years. This year’s event, held from August 5-7 at Mandalay Bay, attracted thousands of participants and spectators. Mandalay Bay has also previously hosted significant events like the League of Legends spring finals.

“Las Vegas is well poised for such events,” Abarbanel remarks. “With our established tourism infrastructure, we are primed to host major competitions. The pandemic did introduce challenges, but the forthcoming expansion of wagering will be another crucial piece of this puzzle.”

At the July committee meeting, Boyd Gaming, which operates various casinos, announced plans to implement esports betting through a dedicated app, once state regulatory approvals are secured. This app will also feature live event streaming, further enhancing the wagering experience.

Paul Hamilton, co-owner and CEO of Atlanta Esports Ventures, which invests in esports teams like Atlanta Reign and Atlanta FaZe, envisions Las Vegas as an unrivaled esports destination. “Las Vegas is the entertainment capital of the world, and with esports emerging as a prominent form of entertainment, I anticipate significant advancements in hosting major tournaments and global events here,” he asserts.

Establishing Esports Infrastructure

Regarding the MSG Sphere, Abarbanel believes its immersive design will revolutionize the spectator experience during esports competitions. “Attendees will be enveloped in the action, creating an unparalleled atmosphere unique to Las Vegas,” Abarbanel states.

Brian Mirakian, Senior Director at Populous and esports director for the Americas, emphasized that the Sphere’s media capabilities would enhance the viewing experience for esports events. “The media array will create a breathtaking atmosphere. I genuinely do not envision any other venue achieving such a level of dynamic presentation for esports,” Mirakian notes.

Casino consultant Brendan Bussmann of B Global Advisors sees a significant opportunity for Las Vegas to catch the growing wave of esports popularity in the U.S., buoyed by the support of professional sports teams and collegiate programs.

Accelerating Esports Progress

The demand for esports in Las Vegas has existed long before recent initiatives. Josh Swissman, founder of The Strategy Organization consultancy, recalls that during his time at MGM Resorts International, sold-out esports tournaments at Mandalay Bay proved the existence of a vast, unfulfilled market.

“Observing that event made it abundantly clear there’s a significantly underserved market for high-quality, integrally-driven esports experiences,” Swissman emphasizes. “Given Las Vegas’ intrinsic appeal for entertainment and professional sports, it is only natural for esports to be showcased here as well. The global trends indicate a surge in the popularity of esports, and it’s just a matter of time before the phenomenon arrives in Las Vegas, as it has in other parts of the world.”

Such events bring an influx of visitors to the city, generating significant revenue not only through ticket sales but also in hotels, food, beverages, and ancillary activities.

Ben Fox’s Vision for the Esports Landscape

Ben Fox, who orchestrates the annual Casino Esport Conference in Las Vegas, acknowledges that Nevada has not kept pace with New Jersey in the realm of esports wagering—but that is changing. He believes that Las Vegas has the potential to fill Allegiant Stadium to capacity with esports fans, mirroring events in South Korea and other international locales.

“Las Vegas is equipped to host finals and semifinals with ease,” Fox asserts, criticizing the slow adoption of esports by the casino industry. “What sets Las Vegas apart from other cities is our proximity—within four hours of some of the largest game studios. If we can establish ourselves as the central hub for esports competitions, it would be comparable to Hollywood for film premieres.”

Fox’s brother, Ari, also emphasizes the impact of MSG Sphere, noting that its vast screens will elevate esports events to extraordinary levels. “The Sphere is a groundbreaking venue set to redefine esports experiences, attracting a younger demographic,” he explains.

Embracing European Esports Expertise

As Nevada gears up to enhance its esports landscape, European companies are poised to play a significant role. At a recent esports committee meeting, executives from Oddin.gg, a European esports odds compiler, discussed how betting lines for esports events are created, emphasizing the importance of utilizing official data to inform such lines. Other companies like Bayes Esports and GRID elaborated on official data functions and its implications for esports wagering.

Becky Harris, former chairwoman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board and an Oddin.gg consultant, is optimistic about Nevada’s potential to evolve into a competitive hub for esports akin to Europe and Asia, which already host large-scale tournaments. Harris highlights existing infrastructure, including the HyperX Esports Arena at Luxor Resort & Casino, and T-Mobile Arena, as foundational elements upon which to build.

“We have the necessary infrastructure; we just need to cultivate and establish a solid foundation for the esports industry,” Harris emphasizes. “Countries in Asia have successfully hosted massive esports tournaments, and it’s time for Las Vegas to seize this opportunity.”