California's Agua Caliente Casinos to host CEC Live! at its Rancho Mirage property next year

California's Agua Caliente Casinos is set to host a new edition of CEC Live! (Casino Esport Conference) in March 2024. The event will be held at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage, one of three properties Agua Caliente Casinos operates in the Coachella Valley, along with Agua Caliente Palm Springs and Agua Caliente Cathedral City.

The conference's activities are set to include immersive experiences that combine esports, virtual reality, table games, and more, organizers announced Monday. The three-day ticketed conference is open to the public. Interested parties can check ceclive.com for more information on ticket sales.

"As a leader in gaming innovation, Agua Caliente Casinos hosts esports and is invested in the future of gaming to offer guests and members the most modern technology, entertainment, and special events," the operator said in a press statement.

In its program, the first CEC Live! at Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa Rancho Mirage will include immersive, "first-of-its-kind" experiences that combine esports, virtual reality, augmented reality, table games, emerging tech and new entertainment "to captivate existing and future casino patrons and conference attendees."

Ben and Ari Fox, Co-Founders of CEC Live!

“We are thrilled to partner with Agua Caliente Casinos for CEC Live! 2024,” said Ben Fox, Co-Founder of CEC Live! “Agua Caliente Casinos are leading the way in the integration of esports into the casino industry. We are excited to showcase their progressive approach to this emerging market at our event.”

CEC Live! aims to revolutionize the traditional casino experience "by catering to the expectations and desires of the millennial and gen z generations," according to its producers. Recognizing the evolving demographics and technological advancements, CEC Live!, along with its partners, seeks to create "extraordinary environments that entice customers to step away from the comfort of their homes."

The event is described as offering an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to engage with cutting-edge gaming experiences, seamlessly showcasing the fusion of esports and casino entertainment.

The conference comes as the esports and gaming industries experience noticeable growth. An estimated 532 million fans worldwide watch esports, according to Statista, and this audience is expected to grow by nearly 20% by 2024. The number of casual gamers has also increased, with Newzoo reports showing there are now 2.81 billion active gamers across the globe.

“We are proud to host CEC Live! 2024 at Agua Caliente Casino Rancho Mirage,” said Pearl Aguinaldo, Sr. Director of Marketing, Agua Caliente Casinos. “This revolutionary event will allow us to not only connect with our esports guests on a deeper level but keep us ahead of the curve on technology and innovations so we can truly offer something for every individual. We look forward to welcoming everyone and seeing how this event helps push us to that next level.”

"CEC Live! is set to redefine the boundaries of the casino experience in partnership with Agua Caliente Casinos," the event's organizers further stated. "This
conference marks a significant milestone in the industry’s evolution."

CEC LIVE! is described as an annual event dedicated to revolutionizing the casino industry by integrating esports, cutting-edge technology and new forms of entertainment. Founded by brothers Ben and Ari Fox, the conference aims to create "a symbiotic partnership" between esports and casino venues.