Unikrn Partners and MGM Resorts International (MGM) have partnered to bring competitive gaming and live esports tournaments to LEVEL UP, the MGM Grand Hotel & Casino’s interactive gaming lounge. Unikrn, a regulated esports wagering platform, will host bi-weekly competitions within the skill-based adult playground; with cash prizes and UnikoinGold tokens to be won. MGM Resorts Executive Director of Interactive Gaming Development Lovell Walker noted that the partnership reflects the company’s “commitment to the future of esports”; an industry projected to hit $2.3 billion in global revenue by 2022.
Howie Long-Short: Unikrn is privately held, with backers like Mark Cuban, but you can invest in Tabcorp Holdings; the Australian wagering, gaming and Keno operator that participated in the company’s June ‘15 $7 million Series A round. Tabcorp trades on the Australian stock exchange under the symbol ASX: TAH. In late October, Unikrn raised an additional $40 million in an ICO to expand its business across the European Union; the largest token sale in video game/esports history.
Fan Marino: You’ll be able to wager on esports competition, but sportsbooks on MGM properties (in Nevada) will not be listing Aces’ (WNBA) games. MGM Resorts International owns the franchise and has pulled the team off the board due to the potential conflict of interest (i.e. fixing games). Did you know the Boston Celtics and Houston Rockets are also off boards in Vegas? Caesers (in NV) no longer takes bets on Celtics games (Gary Loveman) and Golden Nugget properties in Las Vegas and Laughlin, do not offer lines on Rockets games (Tillman Fertitta).
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