Major Vegas Operators Shun Esports Conference

The worldwide eSports market is expected to grow from being a $696 million business in 2017 to one worth around $1.5 billion by the year 2020, according to a forecast released this year by the Global Esports Market Report. Not only is the industry growing exponentially, but as highlighted by Newzoo CEO Peter Warman, it is also “accelerating the convergence of various established industries.”
One line of convergence would involve land-based casinos finding ways to integrate eSports video gaming competitions with their gambling floors, but unfortunately last week’s two-day conference held in Las Vegas called the Casino eSports Conference (CEC) failed to grab the attention of major casino interests located on The Strip..
The development was reported on by the Las Vegas Review-Journal media outlet, although mention was made that the conference proved of far greater interest amongst casino officials based in the downtown area. Nevertheless, the conference organizer, Ben Fox, seemed unconcerned, and likened a lack of interest from major Las Vegas resort operators to a “battleship” in motion that finds it extremely difficult to turn around and change course.
Likewise, Fox praised the approach shown by regional casinos, which he said “have a tendency to make their decisions quicker and easier because they don’t have to answer to the hierarchy of the old school.”
There are a range of other factors which may also account for eSports so far failing to grab a greater level of interest from the major Sin City casino firms, including the fact video gamers often fall ito the under-21 demographic, making them illegible for entry onto the gambling floor. Furthermore, this group is less likely to have the disposable income necessary for staying at resort hotels, or dining at their fine restaurants.
There was optimism amongst the conference attendees, however, that eSports will eventually find greater support in the casino industry. One piece of news released this week foreshadowing eSports rising interest, for instance, was that soon sportsbooks will be allowed to offer bets on multiple eSports game, instead of just one eSports market, as is currently the case. As Karl Bennison, the Gaming Control Board’s board’s chief of enforcement, explains:
“The expansion hints that the state gaming agency is becoming more comfortable with eSports. As more major tournaments are added based on various games, licensed eSports oddsmakers will be able to take bets across the board.”