News that legislation could bring an eSports flavor to the Las Vegas experience, broke earlier today and immediately struck a chord. The inclusion of slot machines with a competitive flavor, instead of older ‘luck of the draw’ versions will do more than just attract younger gamblers. The notion that a staple of Vegas gambling, slot machines, will introduce more skilled-based elements is notable, in and of itself. However, here’s my prediction: this “new era of gaming entertainment,” as hailed the Association of Gaming Equipment Manufacturers, will feature Las Vegas, Nevada as the North American hub for large, moneyed invitational style eSports events a la the World Series of Poker.
Why Vegas? Well, we’ve seen Riot move the NA Summer Split Championship to Madison Square Garden (MSG) in New York City. A shift which will could transform into a trend of permanent, big city locations for major eSports events across North America. I’ve attempted to tackle the subject of how important locality is to sport, here and here, so it makes sense that yearly events find stable homes sooner rather than later. And, as gaming entertainment becomes a part of the Vegas experience, the door will open to capitalize on the international appeal of one of North America’s top tourist locations.
Long known as the de-facto gamblers vacation destination in the USA, Las Vegas now finds itself facing the reality of multiple states legalizing certain forms of gambling in an attempt to heal budget woes. Casinos are appearing in cities from coast to coast. It’s no longer profitable to simply be the home of slot machines and black jack tables. Las Vegas has re-fashioned itself as a premier entertainment destination. Meaning the opportunity to emerge as an annual home to events consisting of largely millennial crowds and viewing audiences, would be quite significant.
Moreover, Startups like Unikrn, whose CEO has gone on record for the legalization of sports betting in the USA, are setting the tone for what could become a symbiotic relationship between eSports and gambling. Meaning as discourse on why sports betting isn’t legal in the USA becomes more prevalent, eSports betting could serve as a catalyst. It’s very possible that as global $$$ figures pick up around eSports betting, certain states (see: Nevada) will pass legislation to allow it. Perhaps opening the door for more traditional sports down the line. Either way, gambling (not ticket sales, or merchandise, or paid media content) has a great chance to emerge as the first widespread revenue driver across the worldwide eSports industry.
This momentum would play right into the spirit of America’s gambling capital, Las Vegas; and would make good business sense for tomorrow’s leaders in eSports gambling to push for moving large invitational tournaments to a city with the energy and newly demonstrated acceptance of gaming entertainment, like Las Vegas. The excitement surrounding the 2015 LCS Mid Season Invitational (MSI), held in Tallahassee, Florida, would be a blip on the radar in comparison to a Vegas hosted event.
eSports, with its fusion of technology, competitive action and electronic friendly composition, makes for an ideal 21st century entertainment outlet; matched against a backdrop of the “City of Lights,” there’s little reason that this combination won’t be a game changer. It also has the potential to open the floodgates for legalizing sports betting across the USA. Only time will tell the true story, but it will be fun watching the plot unfold.
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Alex Fletcher is founder & president at eSports Group, where he helps customers meet their eSports advisory & consulting needs. When Alex isn’t glued to a screen, he spends time with his wife, their two dogs, and pretends to learn Polish. Feel free to stalk him on Twitter – @FletchUnleashed