Esports Entertainment Group, Inc., on Tuesday said it has submitted a gaming license application with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The esports and online gambling company has offices in New Jersey, the UK and Malta. EEG operates several entities in three sectors: esports entertainment and infrastructure, esports wagering, and online gaming.
“This is our first gaming license application in the US, and once approved, we believe we will be the first esports vertical-focused sportsbook with a state license in the US,” Grant Johnson, CEO of Esports Entertainment Group, said in a statement.
Johnson cited a study from data firm Interpret that reports more than 50% of US esports fans said they are likely to engage in esports betting.
“So we are confident that demand will be strong,” Johnson declared. “We are ready to move quickly with our esports-focused wagering platform rollout once the DGE permits us to do so, which we expect in the second quarter this year.”
New Jersey took the national lead for monthly sports wagering in August 2020 with $668m in bets, and each month since, the state has set a new record, Johnson noted, with December reaching nearly $1 billion in wagers.
December was the second straight month the Garden State topped $900m in total sports handle.
“Securing access to what is currently the largest market for sports betting in the US will provide a strong advantage as we look to expand into additional markets in the US moving forward,” Johnson added.
