As competitive video gaming continues to surge in popularity among young gamers, Nevada will be at the top of the list of world-class destinations for eSports bettors and tournaments – at least if Gaming Control Board chair A.G. Burnett has anything to do with it.
At a standing-room-only panel discussion at G2E on Wednesday, Burnett reiterated his support for giving the state’s casino operators the freedom to build a holistic eSports environment which offers wagering, tournaments, and associated amenities.
But what was a pipe dream not long ago is quickly becoming reality. Asked whether he could envision a scenario where a Vegas sportsbook secures the regulatory approval to offer eSports betting props before the end of 2016, he responded: “If I have anything to do with it, then yes.”
“The regulatory scheme is in place to allow that bet to occur,” he said, referring to the so-called regulation 22 that allows for the approval of wagering on “other events” like the Olympics and the Heisman Trophy.
Burnett said that the current hold-up is that the topic of eSports is currently on the docket of Governor Brian Sandoval’s Gaming Policy Committee, and that those deliberations have been delayed largely because of the energy being devoted within the executive branch to hashing out a potential NFL stadium deal in Vegas.
He stressed that given Sandoval’s background as a former chair of the gaming commission and his willingness to induce new innovation in Nevada’s gaming space, the odds are quite good that eSports will get the thumbs-up from the GPC.
“Once that committee meets in October or November, we’re probably going to have a favorable result,” Burnett said. “That should give me time to review a request from a sportsbook operator and make sure it’s a valid one. I hope that all occurs before December 31.”
However, he emphasized that because of the nascent nature of eSports play and doing betting on that play within a casino setting, there are some unique challenges that need to be addressed.
“We’re concerned about authenticity. We want to make sure that it is part of and based upon a legitimate and authentic activity,” he said. “We want to make sure the game has integrity; that it hasn’t been tampered with.”
“My core responsibility is protecting the patrons, protecting the bettor.”
Encouragingly, most of the technical issues with regard to eSports betting – for example, the durability of a joystick on a game console – have largely been ironed out. “If you’d have asked me two years ago, I’d have said ‘Yes there are technical challenges,’” Burnett said, adding that those concerns are now largely quelled.
Burnett also responded in the affirmative when asked whether he sees common ground between eSports and traditional sports betting with regard to the issue of game integrity.
“I do. I see that promise. I see it in the form of self-regulation that is starting to occur among eSports companies and participants,” he said, adding that this is a net positive because “other industries don’t necessarily do that.”
He closed the discussion with an open invitation to operators and properties with questions or ideas on how to integrate eSports into their basket of offerings.
“Our door is open; before you take any first steps, come meet with us or give us a call. I’d suggest a cautious approach, but come talk to us, hopefully we can give you an answer.”
