The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has approved the state’s licensed sportsbooks to offer wagers on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive’s ESL Meisterschaft.
Licensed Nevada books will be able to post and accept bets on the ESL CS:GO event taking place now through May in three wager types: head to head, match winner, and outright winner.
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Under the terms outlined by the Control Board, licensed bookmakers electing to offer these wagers must first notify the Enforcement Division by email. One stipulation of the conditions state wagers can not be accepted after a match has begun. Additionally, the NGCB will require match results to be based on a “permissible source” that complies with respective regulations and all applicable audit procedures. Supplemental markets outside of the three approved wager types will require separate application and approval.
The approval and guidelines mirror that of the Control Board’s recent decision to permit wagering on ESL Pro League Season 11: North America. With the addition of ESL Meisterschaft, Nevada will have two esports events to wager throughout the month of April.
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As it stands now, United States regulatory guidelines require a separate application and approval process to offer wagers on esports tournaments. Although, the cancellation of traditional sports leagues has possibly encouraged Nevada to move the needle on offering esports wagers.
On the East Coast, New Jersey is pushing equal boundaries to allow for ongoing, permissible esports betting. The Garden State, which was a catalyst in the repeal of PASPA, has advanced a bill into the hands of the Speaker for consideration to welcome esports offerings on a full-time basis.
Esports Insider says: One-off exemptions to allow wagers placed on esports have typically been few and far between. While this model is still far from sustainable in terms of building a successful market in the US, these back-to-back approvals are definitely a positive sign.
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