The Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB) has appointed Che Chou, Senior Director of Esports at Ubisoft Entertainment, to its Esports Technical Advisory Committee (ETAC).
Chou will become the eighth member of ETAC – a committee formed by the Gaming Control Board intended to foster esports betting opportunities in the state.
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He joins a group of individuals from across the esports and gambling industries, with members representing companies such as Twitch, Activision, Penn National Gaming and Allied Esports.
“Mr. Chou is passionate about the intersection of esports and gaming, and has a deep understanding of esports strategies, ecosystems, and community building,” the board said.
At Ubisoft, Chou manages the company’s esports strategy and development for current and upcoming game titles, such as Rainbow Six Siege. He also previously served in other esports-focused leadership positions at Blizzard Entertainment and 343 Industries.
Current regulation in Nevada permits esports wagering on a per-event basis, requiring operators to submit an application to the NGCB for approval for each competition. The regulator’s esports committee was created in November 2021 following the amendment of a new Esports Regulatory Commission proposal to the existing Nevada Athletic Commission.
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ETAC member and Director of Research, International Gaming Institute at University of Nevada, Las Vegas Dr. Brett Abarbanel told Yogonet: “A Committee like this is a little bit more flexible in the sense that it can be more open about recommendations, as opposed to trying to come up with very strict guidelines as to how an event might need to take place. And I hope that that really provides for a very collaborative environment.”
The committee will host a public hearing on Tuesday at the Gaming Control Board’s office and will meet quarterly throughout the year.
Esports Insider says: Che Chou is a wonderful addition to Nevada’s esports committee, adding yet another credible and knowledgeable member to its panel. The disconnect between esports and gambling regulators has felt largely connected to a lack of education in the space, and we feel confident this group can help start to change that for the better.