GameWorks, Inc., a full entertainment and dining experience for millennials, teens and families with seven locations nationwide, announced today the Company has entered into a partnership agreement with SCCG Management, a full-service management consultancy focused on the casino industry, to bring venue-based, peer-to-peer wagering esports Lounges to casinos nationwide. Under the agreement, the companies will offer casino operators an opportunity to seamlessly introduce esports to their guests, allowing them to compete in esports games of skill while also enjoying an upscale culinary experience.

The new venue-based concept, Play by GameWorks, is a distinctive opportunity that allows players to add skill-based, peer-to-peer wagering and custom betting capabilities to a variety of popular PC and console games. Each 10-12,000 square-foot Play by GameWorks esports Lounge will boast 20-40 PCs and consoles and an extensive library of approximately 100 of the most popular video games, and the ability to run significantly larger tournament events. Every Play by GameWorks will also host a 100-seat restaurant, The Works Kitchen at GameWorks, GameWorks’ recently unveiled chef-driven, Modern American restaurant, showcasing upscale, eclectic food and drink specialties that take a contemporary approach to traditional favorites.

Play by GameWorks will feature an engaging atmosphere that appeals to both women and men, ages 21 and over, including social as well as pack-oriented gamers, local-area gaming enthusiasts and destination guests. Lounges also will offer a range of event-based programming to further join together the gaming communities in each of the markets Play by GameWorks will serve.

Leveraging the popularity and long-standing reputation of the GameWorks brand with the casino industry expertise of SCCG Management, which specializes in strategic business development within international land-based casino, internet gambling, gaming, esports and entertainment markets, Play by GameWorks is expected to initially launch its flagship location in Las Vegas.

Play by GameWorks esports Lounges will typically accommodate up to 100 guests, with its multiple personal play stations and several large couches, providing ample, comfortable seating for gamers and spectators alike. To further enhance game play, guests can order food and drinks from The Works Kitchen at GameWorks’ diverse menu directly to their seats.

“Esports, or competitive video gaming, is an enormous, ever-increasing global activity. For the first time, through our joint offering with SCCG Management, Play by GameWorks will afford the casino industry the ability to allow people to play competitively through peer-to-peer wagering, in a safe, enjoyable and lively environment. Our new Play by GameWorks concept combines all the elements of competitive gaming, with food and atmosphere, offering a complete entertainment opportunity for those 21 and over. The casino of the future should feature competitive esports in the same way it incorporates poker or progressive slot machines, and with Play by GameWorks, that’s exactly what we’ve created. We are very excited about working closely with casinos to help them rapidly penetrate the burgeoning esports marketplace with this innovative turn-key concept,” explained Philip N. Kaplan, chief executive officer at GameWorks.

Stephen A. Crystal, managing director at SCCG Management, added: “Play by GameWorks combines SCCG’s deep domain expertise in casino operations with GameWorks’ best-of-breed esports operational experience. Together, we immediately present casino operators an easy and complete approach to capitalize on the fast-emergence of esports, consistent with our industry business model, through our new cutting-edge lounges.”

Esports is well-positioned for significant worldwide growth. According to IDG Consulting, a specialty research, consulting and data analytics firm focused on gaming and esports, the global digital gaming industry is expected to increase 17 percent year-over-year and reach $138 billion in 2018. IDG expects the market to grow at a five-year compounded annual growth of eight percent and hit $177 billion by 2022.

About SCCG Management

SCCG Management, a full-service management consultancy led by Stephen A. Crystal, specializes in investment in, and development of, worldwide brands, representation before governmental agencies for complex regulatory matters, intellectual property, and strategic business development within international land-based casino, internet gambling, gaming, esports and entertainment markets. To learn more, follow Crystal on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram.

About GameWorks, Inc.

GameWorks, Inc. offers a full entertainment and dining experience for millennials, teens and families, from seven locations nationwide, including those in Chesapeake, Va. (Norfolk), Denver, Las Vegas, Minneapolis (Mall of America), Newport, Ky. (Cincinnati), Schaumburg, Ill. (Chicago) and Seattle. Each action-packed location ranges, on average, from between 20-30,000 square feet and features approximately 140 of the most popular arcade and video games. Other interactive activities, ranging from laser tag, billiards and other special attractions, are offered at various locations. Every location features The Works Kitchen at GameWorks, a new, eclectic, chef-driven restaurant concept that takes a Modern American spin on bar classics.

GameWorks is recognized nationally for its esports, which take place in its esports Lounges, attracting 80,000+ guests annually who participate in or watch tournaments.

GameWorks also operates TableTop Tap House, a top-rated restaurant, sports bar and social game hall serving modern American tavern-style food and drinks in San Francisco.

For more information, please visit www.gameworks.com, or connect with the Company on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.