70-30 ownership split
Australia-listed casino firm Aquis Entertainment Ltd. is planning to develop and launch an eSports business. The owner-operator of Casino Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory will partner with Executive Sports and Entertainment Pty Ltd. to create the QeSports brand, reports Inside Asian Gaming.
The all-inclusive business will feature an eSports advisory, player and talent management agency including the provision of advice, media training and partnerships to eSports players; eSports event and tournament creation and management; and eSports arena development in Australia via affiliations and partnerships with eSports organizations.
Aquis will finance the brand to the tune of AU $2 million (US$1.5 million) and hold 70 percent of shares in QeSports. ESE will hold the other 30 percent, and ESE co-owner Rohan Sawyer will serve as CEO.
“Aquis Entertainment’s vision is to provide Australia with next generation entertainment and our move into the eSports market is very much in line with that strategy,” said Aquis Entertainment CEO and Executive Director Jessica Mellor. “Australians are well known for their passion for traditional sports and we’re starting to see this passion translate to eSports as the sector matures.
“Two-thirds of Australian eSports fans are aged 18 to 34, and that’s a market segment we know very well,” Mellor continued. “This, coupled with our experience in entertainment venue operations, puts us in a strong position to meet a wide range of expanding needs in the eSports space.”
Aquis said it will run QeSports as a separate business from Casino Canberra.
