The potential of eSports to the casino industry will be tested in Downtown Las Vegas. A few months ago, the Downtown Grand began holding small eSports events pitting players against each other. Now, a professional eSports company wants to convert a space in the Neonopolis project into a small eSports arena.
Pro Gaming League Inc. last week announced it would build a 500-seat 15,000-square-foot arena in a space formerly used as a cinema. It’s not the first visit to Vegas for the company, which is being purchased by Toronto-based Stratton Capital Corp. Seth Schorr, the CEO of Downtown Grand, and an advocate of eSports, will take a seat on the board.
The new company, Millennial Esports, will host a tournament for the game Halo in November at the new facility in Las Vegas.
Millennial CEO Alex Igelman, a gaming lawyer and consultant, says the arena will be an attraction for the casino industry.
“It will drive a lot of people here who may not necessarily want to gamble or go to a show,” Igelman said.
There is no immediate plan to bet on the events being held at the arena, but Igelman said he’d be willing to work with Downtown Grand or sports betting provider William Hill to work something out.
