Regulator gives the green light
Licensed operators in Nevada have been given approval to accept wagers on Counter-Strike ESL Pro League. The Nevada Gaming Control Board approved the betting option a little over a week after the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive competition’s ESL Pro League Season 11: North America series began.
Operators must alert the regulator’s Enforcement Division before accepting wagers on events
Several betting options have been approved. Operators must alert the regulator’s Enforcement Division before accepting wagers on events. Any operators who wish to offer other esports wagers on top of the options approved by regulators will need to fill out a separate application and receive approval.
Approved wagering types
A few wagering options have already been approved for ESL Pro League Season 11 wagering. These options include head-to-head, match winner, and overall season winner markets. For operators to be eligible to accept bets on these markets, they must meet several conditions.
With Season 11 of the ESL Pro League, 24 teams are on the list of competitors. The season began on March 16 and the qualified teams go head-to-head in matches, trying to work their way to the season finals. All teams from around the globe have been mixed together this time, instead of focusing on regional divisions.
Nevada casinos remain closed
News of wagering on the esports competition arrives at a time when all casinos have been closed in Nevada. The coronavirus pandemic has led to a rash of business closures across the US in an effort to try and stop the spread of the virus.
Casinos in Nevada will be shut down for one month, along with other non-essential businesses in the state. The closure first began on March 18. It is unclear as to how much money will be lost in the state due to the complete lack of land-based casino gambling.
However, players do have online options. With this new outlet of betting launching in the state, it provides another form of entertainment for players and a revenue generator for operators during this trying time.