Nevada governor gives eSports betting bill the thumbs up

eSports betting will soon be legal in Nevada after state governor Brian Sandoval signed a bill amending the pari-mutuel wagering rules.

Senate Bill 240, sponsored by Clark County Republican Sen. Becky Harris, was signed into law by Sandoval over the weekend, paving the way for the addition of “other sports” to the pari-mutuel wagering category, including eSports and proposition bets on awards shows like the Oscars and Grammys. The law comes into effect on July 1.

Nevada gaming regulators already allowed betting on eSports, but the bill would formalize such wagering under state law.

Under the new law, the Nevada Gaming Commission (NGC) may issue licenses permitting the conduct of the pari-mutuel system of wagering, including off-track pari-mutuel wagering, and may adopt, amend and repeal regulations relating to the conduct of such wagering.