08
US : A new wave of bettors State of play : Esports betting report 2021
USA ESPORTS BETTING PROJECTION *
26.8m
2020
29.1m
2021
* Number of people ( in millions ) betting on esports . Data projected by selecting those in Newzoo ’ s esports audience aged 20 +
In the US , Nevada is also seen as the most advanced state when it comes to esports betting regulation , with the Nevada Gaming Control board allowing operators to offer wagers on esports tournaments ( albeit on a caseby-case basis ).
One of the more contentious bills being discussed in the state is one brought up by Nevada senator Ben Kieckhefer in February 2021 , which proposed the creation of the country ’ s first government regulatory body for esports .
At the time , Kieckhefer said that esports regulation could provide “ greater stability and security ” for the emerging industry and would be modelled after the Nevada Athletic Commission , which regulates combat sports such as MMA and boxing through licensure and sanctions .
While the proposed commission will not touch wagering , it would have oversight over esports tournament organisation and regulation , which some believe could lead to overtaxation and over-regulation and thus scare away tournament organisers . Others see it as necessary and a step towards further legitimising the industry .
STATE OF ESPORTS BETTING IN NEW JERSEY
New Jersey has been taking steps towards opening up its esports betting industry , and the state could light the way for others in the US to legalise the activity in the same way .
In late January 2020 , New Jersey state lawmakers Ralph Caputo and Eric Houghtaling proposed a bill that would permanently allow legal wagers on esports .
Until that point , authorisation to bet on an esports tournament was handled on a case-by-case basis by the Division of Gaming Enforcement ( DGE ). An example of this was the 2019 Legends World Championship , where betting was permitted but with conditions including a $ 1,000 maximum bet and no in-play wagering .
“ Esports is the next big thing when it comes to sporting events ,” said Caputo at the time . Caputo is the chair of the Assembly Tourism , Gaming and the Arts Committee and a former Atlantic City casino executive .
“ It ’ s important for our state to capitalise on this rapidly growing industry in order to both give our residents what they want and boost our economy ,” said Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling . “ With online sports betting now legal in New Jersey and a large number of people already interested in this type of gaming , the time is right for us to expand legal wagering beyond traditional sports .”
Caputo and Houghtaling ’ s plan was to legalise esports wagering through the framework of the state ’ s regulated sports betting apparatus .
The bipartisan bill , official name A-637 but unofficially referred to as the ‘ esports betting bill ’, had made its way through both the Assembly and Senate as of 21 June 2021 .
STATE OF ESPORTS BETTING IN OREGON
Oregon joined the growing list of states with legal online sports betting in August 2019 , though the regulation of esports betting is currently still in its planning stages , according to industry sources .
The Oregon State Lottery Commission , the regulator and only legal operator of mobile sports wagering in the state , is said to be working on the rules regarding esports betting .
State of play : Esports betting report 2021