Esports Entertainment executives testify before the Ohio State Senate advocating adding esports to a bill legalizing sports gambling

Esports Entertainment Group Inc (NASDAQ:GMBL) (FRA:40Y1) told investors that over the past week, CFO Dan Marks and VP of Strategy Jeff Cohen had testified in front of the Ohio State Senate Select Committee on Gaming as the body considered a bill that would legalize sports gambling in the state.  Marks and Cohen advocated for esports’s inclusion as a sport eligible to be wagered on, and following their testimony, as well as testimony from others such as Jonah Blake of Game Fund, the Senate Wagering Sub Bill 176 currently include esports.  "Ohio's recognition of esports and its inclusion in Sub Bill 176 is a major step forward for both EEG as well as the entire esports industry," CEO Grant Johnson said in a statement. "This, in addition to the recent announcement of our partnership with the Cleveland Cavaliers, solidifies Ohio as a strategic gaming jurisdiction for EEG."  READ: Esports Entertainment says its Helix eSports division is partnering with GUNNAR Optiks for gaming glasses marketing "We intend to build several Helix Centers as well as bring our Vie esports betting platform and look to form additional partnerships with major sports organizations in the state,” Johnson said. “We look forward to working with the Ohio legislature and our strategic partners to create a robust gaming ecosystem in the state. We believe Ohio can form a model for innovation and investment in esports that other states will follow." Marks’ testimony can be viewed here, while Cohen’s can be viewed here. Each testimony starts roughly eight minutes into the video. Esports Entertainment is a licensed online gambling company focused on the growing world of professional video gaming — and the only esports company currently listed on the tech-dominated Nasdaq.  Much like traditional sports gamblers betting on their favorite teams, Esports Entertainment’s proprietary player-to-player wagering system allows esports fans and enthusiasts to bet against one another in support of their favorite ePremiere League teams.  Contact Andrew Kessel at andrew.kessel@proactiveinvestors.com Follow him on Twitter @andrew_kessel