Nevada Gaming Control approved three new esports events for wagering this week.
All major professional sports leagues have suspended play in an effort to help slow the spread of coronavirus which has shuttered Nevada casinos at least until the end of April. Nevada bettors will be able to wager on the following esports events this week:
- 2020 League of Legends European Championship
- 2020 North America League of Legends Championship Series
- Overwatch League
The rules for wagering on each event are similar. Sportsbooks may take wagers on head to head matchups, the winner of each match, and the overall winner of each event. As usual, the acceptance of wagers must cease prior to the beginning of each match.
Both of the 2020 League of Legends Championships will take place on Saturday, April 18. Meanwhile, the Overwatch League has nine matches on its schedule between Thursday, April 16 and Sunday, April 19.
Nevada Gaming continues to approve esports for betting
Wagering on esports events must be approved by Nevada Gaming Control individually. During normal times, sportsbook operators in the Silver State have a plethora of wagering options to offer bettors. There isn’t an overwhelming demand when there are traditional sports every day. Well, this isn’t a normal time and Nevada sportsbook operators are looking to offer as many wagering options for customers as possible.
As March came to an end, Nevada Gaming approved wagering on an esports event for the first time this year. Wagering on Counter-Strike – ESL Pro League Season 11: North America was the first esports event approved for wagering this year. All four Nevada sports wagering apps currently operating had wagering available for the event.
Nevada bettors are looking for action on events that will show an immediate return anywhere they can find it. The most recent eNASCAR race had about 50% of the handle (amount of money wagered) of a traditional NASCAR race at Circa Sports. Sports. Similarly, William Hill is seeing a large percentage of its handle coming from wagering on international table tennis (ping pong).
Currently, BetMGM, Circa Sports, and William Hill all have wagering available for DOTA 2: ESL One in Los Angeles.
Traditional sports returning soon?
Don’t get too excited but there could be traditional sports available for wagering sooner than later. Golf Digest is reporting that the PGA Tour could get back into action from June 11-14 at the Charles Schwab Challenge. This tournament will be played without spectators.
Meanwhile, Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, sees a path for professional US sports to return. During an interview with Snapchat he laid out a few of things leagues will have to do in order to resume the seasons that were put on hold to help slow the spread of coronavirus. He says the leagues should:
- Play without spectators (a la PGA)
- Everyone stays in a big hotel during the season
- Surveil and test the players weekly
At the end of the interview, America’s favorite doctor revealed that he’s a Washington Nationals fan and looks forward to watching them play again. There should be more information about leagues starting up again sooner than later.
