As Esports gameplay explodes across the country, New Jersey has a front row seat to Esports’ industry growth
What if I told you there are over 10 million viewers who tune in to watch live video game competitions on the popular streaming service Twitch every single day? The truth is that the Esports industry is taking over the world with professional teams and players occupying different corners of the globe and fans who steadily support them.
However, in the United States specifically, New Jersey is the place to be if you’re interested in getting close to the action. Similarly, the legalisation of online sports betting has also brought more users to the digital world, allowing fans to interact with their teams in real-time at the touch of a button using a betting app with minimum deposit. Let’s take a look at how the Garden State is becoming a major hub for these types of entertainment opportunities in the 21st century.
Approved legislation brings more online platforms to the surface
June 11th, 2018 was a landmark day for New Jersey and the state’s sports fans, as Governor Phil Murphy approved a bill which finally legalized in-person sports betting and, later, online wagering throughout different NJ cities. The industry made its debut into the virtual world in August of that year and since then, over a dozen platforms have popped up across the web serving a wide variety of enthusiastic customers.
Nowadays New Jersey is known as one of America’s major hot spots for online sports betting whether by computers, tablets, or mobile applications; the Garden State has even begun to surpass Nevada in market revenue and user popularity. These websites welcome novice users with open arms as they browse a list of enticing deals to jumpstart their experience.
For example, offers like this in NJ are attracting more and more people to take part in the ever-expanding industry online, and since its legalization, there has never been a more secure time to do so. The passage of bills like the one in 2018 is just one of the few reasons why the state is the country’s leading provider for all things virtual sports betting related.
New Jersey’s Atlantic City is a resort town full of luxurious hotels and casinos which line its boardwalk
The rise of Esports, live tournaments, and betting
New Jersey’s location alone sets it up to be a great hub for the Esports industry. Wedged between New York City and Philadelphia and containing its own bustling areas, like Atlantic City and Jersey City, it’s the perfect place to attract people from major northeastern cities.
In fact, the state’s government is even on board, as New Jersey’s Economic Development Authority announced last year that they would prioritize projects that center around building the state’s Esports community. This new initiative also propelled the idea that lawmakers should allow fans to bet on live Esports tournaments in the same way that they would other sports like football, basketball, and baseball.
Although the legislation is still in preliminary stages, nowadays Esports enthusiasts can bet on specific events from League of Legends to Dota 2 tournaments. These new opportunities have further encouraged people to think of Esports as a real sport that requires focus, attention, and skilled gameplay.
New Jersey’s Rutgers University even has their own Esports center where players can join with other college students to form their own gaming community. Rutgers Esports is actually one of the biggest organizations on the East Coast and aims to make the industry a focal point of the University’s athletics. They host tournaments and competitions for amateur and skilled gamers and are continuing to grow in membership each year.
As New Jersey continues to promote both online sports betting and Esports as popular entertainment options, more and more potential playmakers are expected to rise to the surface and inhabit one of the country’s most desirable locations for both industries.
