November 3, 2022
The possibility of regulated Nevada esports got a lot closer recently, as a state committee on the matter made the decision to send a proposal to regulate the activity to the Gaming Control Board and Gaming Commission. They are recommending the state amend the current regulations for race books and sports pools to include esports.
The Nevada Esports Technical Advisory Committee’s recommendation would allow residents to bet on video game competitions, both online and in person, through existing sports books who take the action.
The final draft of the Committee included the ability for sportsbooks to have some flexibility on the wagers they accept, and reserves power to the Gaming Control Board chairman to intervene in cases where an event that may have a “questionable past”.
Currently, there is a list being developed of “sanctioning organizations” which have already been involved with reputable events in the past. The hope is to make the esports events approval process both faster and easier.
Nevada esports would be required to be supervised, establish standards of integrity, and have outcomes that are both verifiable and generated via an independent process. They would also need to be unaffected by the betting action and comply with local and state laws, just like other sporting events.
State licensed sportsbooks would have to keep records of all esports bets and game results, and complete quarterly reports for the Gaming Control Board. The Board and and the Gaming Commission could consider the matter this month.
