WinStar World Casino and Resort in Thackerville, Oklahoma has been named the exclusive casino sponsor for Complexity Gaming, an esports club associated with Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones. The partnership is the first time a U.S. esports organization has designated a casino as its official sponsor. Complexity Gaming Chief Executive Officer Jason Lake said, “WinStar is a preeminent gaming and entertainment venue, and we are excited for them to become our exclusive casino partner. This partnership signals a significant shift in the esports sphere toward making competitive gaming entertainment even more mainstream.”
WinStar General Manager Jack Parkinson added, “The high energy and competitive nature of esports aligns with our focus on creating unique, high energy gaming and entertainment experiences for our patrons. Complexity’s forward-thinking and innovative approach to one of the fastest growing genres of mainstream entertainment is a natural fit as we look toward remaining at the forefront of the gaming industry.”
In September, the Dallas Cowboys announced WinStar World Casino and Resort as the team’s official casino, making it the first-ever NFL team to announce an official casino designation. Now Complexity players will have access to the resort and its amenities, including the hotel, golf courses and concerts. WinStar will host biannual boot camps and “meet-and-greets” for Complexity players to interact with fans and train before large events.
Complexity Gaming has won more than 140 championships in nearly 30 game titles over its 15-plus-year history.
Esports revenue is expected to reach $1.7 billion in 2021, according to market researcher Newzoo. Most players are age 18 to 34, however nearly one in three esports viewers are age 35 to 54, according to market researcher Interpret. Also, a report by Goldman Sachs indicated online streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube have a larger audience base for gaming alone than HBO, Netflix and ESPN combined.
