The Governor of Nevada Brian Sandoval signed a new bill in order to expand the gambling legislation of the state. Thanks to the expansion, Nevada will finally see permission for placing wagers on eSports events. The bill is set to come into effect on July 1st, 2017.
While this is not the first time when the state has been presented gambling legislation on eSports, it is actually the first time when the state of Nevada gives the green light to a proposed bill and turns it into law.
The Senate Bill 240, which is the new addition to the state’s legislation, has been called “the eSports betting bill” but it actually does not include the term “eSports” anywhere in its text. The SB 240 uses the phrase “other events” in order to complement the currently existing list of pari-mutuel betting activities, sports events, dog and horse races.
Under the provisions of the bill that has just become law, the current status quo of Nevada’s gambling industry is to be modified, in order for existing pari-mutuel betting systems to include competitive gaming.
The new piece of legislation has been officially presented over the current legislative session, with Senator Becky Harris being its major sponsor. The SB 240 was debated in a hearing on March 23rd, 2017 in order for the local regulatory committee to be provided with guarantee that eSports would not harm the local gambling industry in any way. Until now, betting on eSports has been allowed by Nevada gaming regulators, but such betting was not officially legal under state law. Signing the bill into law by Nevada Governor Sandoval is to finally do that.
Under the new piece of legislation, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) is to be given the chance to issue operating licenses allowing pari-mutuel system of wagering to be implemented. What is more, the Nevada Gaming Commission is also to be given the change to get access to all books and records of the eSports betting licensees.
As mentioned above, thanks to the new addition to the gambling legislation in the state, competitive gaming will be included in the already existing law. The extension of legal pari-mutuel betting events is to include “other events”, such as eSports and awards shows for example.
Last November, one of the largest sports betting operators on a global scale – William Hill and its partner Downtown Grand – received permission to take eSports bets, but until now there has not been official recognition of eSports betting as part of the statewide law.
The gambling expansion in the state of Nevada has been considered as part of the state’s efforts to turn Las Vegas in a preferred destination for eSports lovers, as it is currently one of the most popular casino destinations. However, in order for this to happen, wagering on eSports need to be properly defined and regulated first.
- Author
Daniel Williams
