Australian-listed casino operator Aquis Entertainment Limited has revealed plans to establish and develop an eSports business, to be known as QeSports.
Aquis, which owns and operates Casino Canberra in the Australian Capital Territory, will partner with Executive Sports and Entertainment Pty Limited (ESE) to create the QeSports brand, which will focus on providing various forms of infrastructure around which the eSports industry can grow.
The business will include an eSports advisory, player and talent management agency including the provision of advice, media training and partnerships to eSports players; eSports event and tournament creation and management; and eSports arena development in Australia via affiliations and partnerships with eSports organizations.
Aquis will hold 70% of shares in QeSports with ESE holding the other 30%, while a principal of ESE, Rohan Sawyer, will become QeSports CEO.
Aquis will also provide initial financing to QeSports of up to AU$2 million via a shareholder loan. Drawdown of the loan will be incremental, subject to QeSports meeting agreed milestones in its business plan.
Discussing the new partnership, Aquis Entertainment CEO and Executive Director Jessica Mellor said, “Aquis Entertainment’s vision is to provide Australia with next generation entertainment and our move into the eSports market is very much in line with that strategy.
“Australians are well known for their passion for traditional sports and we’re starting to see this passion translate to eSports as the sector matures.
“Two-thirds of Australian eSports fans are aged 18 to 34 and that’s a market segment we know very well. This, coupled with our experience in entertainment venue operations, puts us in a strong position to meet a wide range of expanding needs in the eSports space.”
Aquis said it will run QeSports as a separate business from Casino Canberra.
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