CEC Vegas kicks off with 5 panels and nearly 20 eSports and casino industry experts

The Casino eSports Conference (CEC) Las Vegas 2019 kicks off today at the Luxor Hotel and Casino. The two-day event organized by Clarion Gaming, taking place at the 30,000-square-foot HyperX Esports Arena, will bring together professionals from esports and the casino industry.

After a welcome speech by the host, Wednesday will open with a panel titled ‘Betting on eSports: Integrity issues from a US and International Perspective,’ followed by ‘Betting on eSports: Regulatory Challenges & Forecasts.’ The latter will address how eSports regulation is evolving among the wider sports betting field in the USA; understanding the legislative consensus and considerations; which jurisdictions are progressing with regulation; and how other jurisdictions handle eSports betting, in Europe, Asia and LatAm. 

Moderated by Kathryn Rand, Co-Director at the Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law, the panel will include the participation of Karl Bennison, Chief, Nevada Gaming Control Board, Enforcement Division; Becky Harris, Academic Fellow, UNLV International Centre for Gaming Regulation; Dr. Laila Mintas, Advisor, Dr. Mintas consulting; Jennifer Roberts, Associate Director of Gaming Regulation, UNLV; John English, Partner, Global Market Advisors

After a networkin break, ‘Giving eSports Betting integrity, both by design and perception’ will discuss realistic views of the eSports betting demographic; recognising ‘at risk’ groups from eSports betting; skins betting as a threat to eSports integrity; publishers and the betting companies’ work together; and the match-fixing face of eSports integrity.

The speakers are Brett Abarbanel, Director of Research, UNLV International Gaming Institute; Brendan Bussmann, Partner, Global Market Advisors; Rahul Sood, CEO, Unikrn; Steven Light, Co-Director, Institute for the Study of Tribal Gaming Law.

In the afternoon,  there will be a panel titled “Gamer Insider: Capturing the hearts and minds of an elusive community,” followed by a keynote at the Hyper X Arena: “Esports past, present and future: through the lens of a publisher and eSport legend.” The latter will have Jon ‘J’ Moses, Director, Take-Two Interactive; and Jon “Fatal1ty” Wendell, Esport entrepreneur and ex pro gamer, talking about eSports myths; the advantages of treating eSports differently to traditional sports; the importance of publishers and data access within the eSports betting market; exploring the integration of sports betting and eSports wagering; and the future of eSports within the gaming industry.

CEC will deliver insight across eight key tracks: Configuring Infrastructure for the New Era; Esports Regulation; iGaming and Online Sports Betting; Investment; Interactive Gaming; Making Money with Esports; Marketing Techniques that Attract Gamer, and Sports Betting. It will also feature conversations surrounding the new legal developments regarding sports betting in the United States. Featuring 35+ leading experts, CEC Vegas will enable delegates to hear from and network with colleagues who are already in the space and would benefit from their insight and experience.

Mixer at the HyperX Arena Bar will also be held today from 5pm to 9pm, featuring a competition stage, 50-foot LED video wall, telescopic seating, PC and console gaming stations, and a network TV-quality production studio.