Esports is the term for competitive video gaming, where players or teams compete against each other in various games and genres. Esports has become a global phenomenon, attracting millions of fans and generating billions of dollars in revenue. Atlantic City, NJ, is one of the places that has embraced esports and aims to become a national hub for the industry.
According to the web search results, here are some of the highlights of the history of esports in Atlantic City:
- In March 2017, Caesars Atlantic City hosted the Gears Pro Circuit Atlantic City Open, an esports tournament for the game Gears of War 4. The event featured 48 teams from around the world and awarded $200,000 in prizes12.
- In June 2018, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City hosted the Rainbow Six Siege Pro League Season 7 Finals, an esports tournament for the game Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege. The event featured eight teams from four regions and awarded $275,000 in prizes.
- In August 2019, the Boardwalk Hall hosted the Apex Legends Preseason Invitational, an esports tournament for the game Apex Legends. The event featured 80 teams from 19 countries and awarded $500,000 in prizes.
- In June 2021, the New Jersey Economic Development Authority and Stockton University signed an agreement to establish an esports Innovation Center at the university’s Atlantic City campus. The center is designed to create new academic and workforce development opportunities, support local economic development, and help Atlantic City and the state become a national hub for the esports industry132.
- In March 2022, the Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City hosted the first sanctioned skill-based wagering event in the U.S., sponsored by Esports Entertainment Group and LANDuel. The event was a Madden ’22 esports competition that featured 32 players and awarded $10,000 in prizes4.
CEC Live will host a two day event in Atlantic City in November 2023.