The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has today approved wagering on the VIE.gg Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Legend Series.
Licensed operators in the Garden State are permitted to accept wagers on “single outcome” bets including game-winner and match-winner, both pre-match and live. Bookmakers opting to supply wagers on the Legend Series must submit a request to the Deputy Attorney General and receive confirmation prior to posting bets.
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The event will be conducted in line with industry-standard practices for competitive integrity directed by Allied Esports, a member of the Esports Integrity Commission. Event guidelines outlining betting, inside information, match-fixing, and cheating have been supplied to participating teams and players.
David L. Rebuck, Director of New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, commented on the approval in a release: “Esports is quickly emerging as an economic and cultural force on par with many other traditional sports, and it is important that New Jersey accommodate the many ways fans engage with their favorite teams and events. Allowing betting on esports not only provides more variety for sports wagering enthusiasts, but also makes New Jersey more attractive to the innovative companies that drive this growing industry.”
This permission marks the second esports event approval to come from the New Jersey DGE offices. The first of which arrived in November 2019 when regulators approved the state’s licensed sportsbooks to accept wagers on the League of Legends World Championship finals.
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Esports Entertainment Group and Allied Esports entered a deal in July to launch the online Counter-Strike event, which kicked off on August 31st with 16 international teams. Last month, Allied Esports and data provider GRID signed a multi-year licensing agreement to integrate the platform’s data solution into its events, beginning with the Legend Series tournament.
Moritz Mauer, CEO of GRID, told Esports Insider: “It’s a momentous decision for esports betting in the US. The state of New Jersey and their initiative to be thought leaders for the rest of the country speaks volumes to their innovative attitude. Gaming and esports are the entertainment verticals of the future and are growing fast. Our vision to unlock the potential of official data and equip bookmakers with the fastest and accurate feed in esports is aligned with that trend and we are honored to be a part of history.”
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Frank Ng, CEO of Allied Esports Entertainment, added: “We are extremely proud that bettors in New Jersey will place their first esports wager on the VIE.gg CS:GO Legend Series. Between our recent data and video rights agreements and focus on competitive integrity, we have raised the value of one of our key tournament brands and provided our partners with innovative solutions. We are excited to play a new role in the rapidly growing esports betting market and believe we have taken the necessary steps to capture future opportunities in the U.S. and around the world with our unique offerings.
The U.S. market has been a focal point for both GRID and GameCo since establishing a partnership together in March. GameCo will receive real-time feeds of official data from the Legend Series through the GRID API to enhance the wagering experience for bettors.
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Blaine Graboyes, CEO of GameCo, told Esports Insider: “GameCo is proud to be powering the esports betting revolution in New Jersey. As the exclusive official partner of GRID Esports in North America, GameCo is excited to be the exclusive provider of official betting data, odds, and livestream video for the upcoming Vie.gg CS:GO Legend Series, produced by Allied Esports. GRID and Allied have formed a tremendous partnership to provide the official server data needed to drive esports betting in US markets.
New Jersey-based esports agency Gaud-Hammer Gaming Group (G3) served as a key touchpoint in the positive ruling, helping see the esports event submission through to completion.
Anthony Gaud, CEO of G3, spoke on the state’s approval with Esports Insider: “The commitment that the New Jersey Assembly, the Division of Gaming Enforcement, and the Economic Development Authority have made to supporting the esports industry in all its forms, including esports wagering, is second-to-none. Because of their efforts, New Jersey will be the leader in this exploding field for the foreseeable future.”
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The latest esports betting news arrived in New Jersey just a few weeks prior when the lower house approved legislation to permanently include esports in the state’s legal sports betting industry. The bill, A637, has now advanced to the Senate where lawmakers will have final say on whether or not to include its constitution within the state’s legislature.
Esports Insider says: New Jersey has been well on its way to becoming the next hub for esports in the U.S., and cooperation from the state’s governing bodies shows a strong commitment towards continuing to grow this sector over time.