Originally published in the SJDC Chronicle

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While most people think video games are a kid’s hobby, the video game industry far surpasses that of the motion pictures, television, and music industries combined. The average age of a video game player is 31 and going up as gaming becomes integrated into our everyday lives through computers, gaming consoles and mobile phones. Esports, the name given to highly-skilled video game competitions, is an economic and cultural powerhouse that will drive entertainment and tourism for generations to come.

 

This shift in entertainment offerings has already begun in Atlantic City, thanks to an innovative pilot program spearheaded by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) and the Gaud-Hammer Gaming Group (G3). 

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“Atlantic City, in conjunction with the CRDA, Meet AC and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance have been pioneers in driving esports forward in the region,” says Anthony Gaud, CEO of G3. 

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Gaud has been instrumental in developing esports in the area, positioning Atlantic City on Marketwatch’s Top Ten Esports Cities in 2019 and supporting the New Jersey State Assembly in their efforts to legalize esports gambling in Atlantic City.

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 “In many ways esports works similarly to traditional sports and entertainment businesses, but it’s also a complex, dynamic ecosystem of its own,” adds Jim Hammerstedt, the Managing Partner of Fabietti, Hale, Hammerstedt & Powers PA, and G3 Co-Founder.

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G3 approaches the space with a multi-disciplinary strategy, bringing a select team of industry executives, SMEs, and corporate partners together to offer integrated esports services including data and analytics, venue design, tournament and league creation, programming content, and live gaming events.

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The esports events featured in the pilot program included the 2019 Collegiate StarLeague Grand Finals, the Esports Travel Summit the UGC Halo Classic.

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