GameCo and GRID to deliver esports betting products in North America

Las Vegas-based gambling company GameCo has established a partnership with esports data provider GRID to bring esports betting products to North American casinos.

The partnership will see GRID’s esports data and streaming solution integrated into GameCo’s Video Game Gambling Machine (VGM) offerings and partner casino destinations, both land-based and online.

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GRID will provide real-time feeds of official data and streaming assets from esports competitions as well as a variety of services to help “unlock the potential of esports for casinos and sportsbooks.”

Blaine Graboyes, Co-founder and CEO of GameCo, commented on the partnership in a release: “Esports gambling is a tremendous untapped market across North America. In partnering with GRID, our combined industry knowledge, infrastructure, and technology will usher in a new era of engagement. We are thrilled to help make esports analytics and betting accessible for sportsbooks and players.”

GameCo will bring GRID’s esports data platform to both digital and physical casino operators in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For the first time, casino operators in North America will have the ability to create and offer esports betting odds in jurisdictions where sports betting is legal. GRID’s data platform supports the likes of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Dota 2, League of Legends, and PUBG.

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Moritz Maurer, CEO of GRID, spoke to the company’s ability to activate and innovate through this collaboration: “GameCo has cracked the code for revolutionizing the casino experience for a generation that is used to, and expects, quality game-play in an accessible way. We are always looking for strong partners who believe in esports and its potential in the same way we do. GameCo was a clear choice in this regard and we are excited to expand our platform and efforts to a broader audience.”

In September 2015, GameCo revealed its skill-based Video Game Gambling Machines, offering casino economics similar to slot machines while combining chance and skill. The proprietary arcade-style cabinets are today said to be licensed in over 25 jurisdictions with relationships spanning “all major casino operators.”

Esports Insider says: With virtually all traditional sports being put on pause during the coronavirus pandemic, both bookmakers and punters are desperate for betting products. Able to continue producing matches online, esports has seemingly become the solution to the gambling industry’s biggest threat at this time. And for GRID and GameCo having just partnered to enter one of the biggest betting markets in the world – well, you could say the timing was pretty damn good.

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