The topic of esports gambling is up for discussion in Nevada once again, as the Silver State moves closer to putting rules in place.
The Nevada Gaming Control Board has allowed its Esports Technical Advisory Committee to meet in August, to further discuss esports betting as an option for the state and set ground rules.
The committee met earlier this month to gather testimonies from experts and examine official data that has been generated from competitions. During the August meeting, the esports committee plans to formulate official recommendations. The meeting next month is scheduled to take place before the committee’s next quarterly meeting.
Interest in esports gambling has grown significantly throughout the US, as more states continue to legalize online sports betting. The industry has been firmly established in Europe and Asia for several years. Through online esports events around the world, the industry has grown into a multimillion-dollar market.
As far as Nevada is concerned, this is not the first time it has considered opening the esports gambling option to its residents. Prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the state accepted bets on major 2020 esports events. However, the state since then has insisted the Control Board’s committee establish a firm set of ground rules going forward.
Until now, shutdowns during the pandemic temporarily halted the process of putting regulations in place.
Members of the committee will focus their attention on determining whether sports wagering rules can be enhanced or modified to include esports wagers. They will review the board’s Regulation 22 on sports pools and racebooks to decide if adaptations can be made.
Since the Supreme Court overturned PASPA in 2018, online gambling is currently available in 35 states, with 18 of those allowing legal online sports wagering.
