Caesarshosts arcade show expo in August, 2019TheToushinsai expected to attract well over 6,000 peopleCaesarsstill eyes Japanese expansion
Caesarshas teamed up with Japanese arcade games developer Taito to introducea massive arcade expo in Las Vegas in 2019.
Caesars’New Esports Ambitions Continue to Grow
CaesarsEntertainment hasteamed up with Japanese company Taitoto host one of the world’s largest arcade gaming events in Las Vegas.The focus is firmly on esports, a segment in which Caesars is alittle more familiar with competitive gaming than most companies outthere.
For starters, Caesars have hosted multiple esports competitions in Gears of War. Then, the company was one of the main backers of the H1Z1 League, which has been disbanded, but the event has helped put the casino operator on the radars.
[RT] TAITO hold the first North American qualifier in the history of TOUSHINSAI from 12 to 6pm PST on August 1! The category is "Street Fighter V Type Arcade" ! Entry from here https://t.co/2SORRX95kD TOUSHINSAI 2020 begins, See you there! #t lol646 oushinsai pic.twitter.com/ydObXN312p
— TOUSHINSAI_OFFICIAL_EN (@toushinsai_EN) July 1, 2019
Taitoand Caesars will now work on creating the world’s largest arcadegaming show that will feature competitive gaming. Toushinsai,as the event is known, usually attracts over 6,000 people in Tokyo,Japan, where it is usually hosted.
Meanwhile,LasVegas’ Rio All-Suite Hotel & Casinois preparing to focus the event in August 1, 2019. The United Statesis one of the biggest hot spots for arcade gaming, both competitiveand recreational.
NotAll About Japan
StreetFighter V,one of the most famous fighting games, next to the MortalKombat series,will be part of the upcoming event, offering a rare opportunity tofans to organize one of the biggest arcade events the world has seento date.
Caesars decision toget involved with yet another fringe esports segment is commendable.Even though arcade games and fighting games have more to do withcommunity than any competitive format, the brand has done well intargeting segments that put it closer to the community. Caesars VP ofStrategic Investment John Linss hadthe following to add:
Caesars Entertainment is excited to host Toushinsai competitors from around the globe. Our company has long fostered the rapidly growing esports industry throughout our resorts, and we are happy to be collaborating with Taito to bring their e-Arcade sports qualifier to North America for the first time.
Mr. Linss is correct to conclude that the esports industry is growing and the ability of Caesars to identify such lucrative segments is definitely commendable to say the least.
BetterChances to Land an IR Spot?
Caesars is also eying an opportunity to enter in Japan’s future Integrated Resorts (IR) project which promises to be one of the most ambitious and best casino projects to date in terms of ROI.
The company has beentrying to really push itself in establishing a more recognizableglobal footprint and one way to do so has been through charting a newcourse of expansion both in Asia and among youths.
Establishing a brandidentity would be easier for Caesars with its recent forays intoesports, especially now that Japan is becoming more open to the ideaand professional players in the country are licensed professionals.
Still, Caesars has alot of work to do to end up onthe shortlist of candidates willing to be amongst the first inthe IR project.
