Execs say eSports, casinos are compatible, but authenticity, experimentation required

The eSports community has been around for decades, but has experienced explosive growth in the past five years. Tournaments such as the International Dota 2 tournament – with its $23 million prize pool – exceed, in total prize money, the PGA Masters.

However, these large tournaments are few and far between. Blaine Graboyes, CEO of GameCo, mentioned Thursday at an eSports seminar at G2E that many casinos come to him expecting to host large tournaments and make their revenue from ticket sales. The data, though, shows that only 9% of global eSports revenue in 2017 is from ticket sales. On the other hand, sponsorship and advertising make up more than half.

 

Ocean Resort Casino principals want to combine luxury, family

ATLANTIC CITY — When the first guests walk through the doors of Ocean Resort Casino on June 28, there is a good chance a member of the Deifik family will be there to greet them.

Family is important to Bruce and Nancy Deifik and son Jordan. And the new owners of the former Revel Casino Hotel believe a focus on treating everyone like they are part of theirs will be the most noticeable difference to guests.

Can Sports Betting Do for Atlantic City What Donald Trump Couldn’t?

The last time there was so much hype about the future of this troubled seaside resort, Donald J. Trump was doing most of the hyping.

The president, then a casino impresario, opened the Trump Taj Mahal, the biggest gambling venue on the boardwalk, with great fanfare and at a cost of $1.2 billion in 1990, only to have it collapse into bankruptcy the following year. After years of decline, it shut down in 2016, seemingly consigned to symbolize the ruinous excess here during the Trump era.

CEO of Fifth Street Gaming and Veltyco joins Host Game’s Advisory Board

Host Games, the blockchain-based online casino gaming protocol for emerging markets, has just announced the additions of Melissa Blau and Seth Schorr to its Advisory Board. They will help accelerate Host Game’s vision in bringing transparency to the $50 billion online casino gaming industry.

Seth Schorr, CEO of Fifth Street Gaming and Chairman of Downtown Grand Las Vegas, will bring his hospitality, casino management, and gaming expertise to Host Games. His career in gaming and hospitality began in 1991, where he served as an integral member of Wynn Resorts team, developing the international marketing department in Macau, the interactive gaming division. Seth also working in numerous capacities at Bellagio Resort and Casino, The Mirage Hotel and Casino and more. In 2015, Schorr was introduced to eSports and lead the effort of developing the first fully integrated eSports program at Downtown Grand Hotel & Casino. His experience and wisdom will help guide Host Games during its offline casino expansion phase.