In a state which constantly searches for new types of bets, New Jersey lawmakers are offering a bill to allow wider use of competitive esports betting.
Many esports betting sites have gladly welcomed the news, as well as many esports tournament holders which increases the esports viewing experience.
A state parliamentary committee introduced a draught bill on Thursday to clarify the esports rules and expressly make it possible for tournaments to be betted as long as there are no high school teams or a majority of competitors under the age of 18 years old.
New Jersey’s existing legislation on sports betting is unclear when it comes to betting on esports, and lawmakers want to do what they think might be a dangerous train of sports and tourism dollars. State regulators granted a one-time permit in November to bet on the League of Legends Championship in Paris at an international video game tournament.
“The potential for esports in New Jersey is really amazing. Steve Batzer, a G3Esports advisor, said. In 2016 the Downtown Greater in Las Vegas developed an esports lounge, hosted tournament and took the first sports wager made on a sports tournament in Nevada with bookmaker William Hill. Market Research firm Newzoo places esports on a $1.1 billion market litre with this rapidly increasing within the coming years, this truly marks a new demographic target for Atlantic City.
