News

The Swedish government has proposed amendments to the Gambling Act, which would prohibit all forms of wagering on credit to curb debt risks in the betting sector. This legislative push targets licensed operators, including those offering esports markets, and underscores Europe's tightening grip on consumer protection amid rising gambling harms. For the esports betting ecosystem, the change signals a broader shift toward sustainable practices, potentially reshaping deposit and payment strategies across the EU.

Riot Games has lifted its long-standing ban on sports betting sponsorships for Tier 1 League of Legends Esports and Valorant Champions Tour teams in the EMEA and Americas regions. The policy shift, announced by Riot's President of Publishing and Esports, John Needham, introduces strict vetting processes and integrity safeguards to mitigate risks in the rapidly expanding esports betting sector. This move addresses team demands for diversified revenue streams while channeling a portion of proceeds back into lower-tier competitions, potentially stabilizing the global esports economy amid betting turnover exceeding $10.7 billion on Riot titles in 2024.

ESIC's new regulatory framework for talent agents signals a proactive approach to preventing corruption in emerging esports markets across the APAC and European regions.

The Secretariat of Prizes and Bets (SPA) in Brazil has approved licenses for five additional operators to provide esports betting services, expanding access to regulated wagering in Latin America's largest market. The new licensees—Betsson, Novibet, Kaizen Gaming, Rei do Pitaco, and Galera.bet—join over 100 firms authorized under the 2025 federal betting framework, enabling bets on major titles like Counter-Strike 2, League of Legends, and Valorant. This batch of approvals, announced on September 25, 2025, prioritizes integrity and consumer protection, requiring ESIC integrations and the implementation of responsible gambling tools.

BETBY has secured the Esports Supplier of the Year accolade at the SBC Summit Lisbon 2025, underscoring its leadership in delivering advanced sportsbook solutions tailored to the burgeoning esports betting sector. The award, presented on September 23, highlights BETBY's innovations in odds management, live data feeds, and AI-driven risk tools, which have empowered operators to navigate the complexities of high-volume esports wagering. This recognition arrives amid sustained growth in global esports betting volumes, projected to exceed $2.8 billion in 2025, and signals strengthened confidence among industry stakeholders in technology that enhances market efficiency and player engagement.

LATAM markets emerge as a hotspot for esports betting infrastructure, with partnerships enabling advanced live betting tools in Brazil and Peru.

GRID has unveiled GRID Bet, a dedicated esports betting solution designed to enhance operator offerings through exclusive data integrations and AI-driven tools. This launch coincides with leadership appointments and a strategic pivot toward deeper involvement in the global esports wagering ecosystem. The move addresses the growing demand for reliable, real-time betting products amid esports' projected $4.8 billion revenue milestone this year.

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has imposed lifetime bans on two members of Mongolian Counter-Strike 2 team ATOX Esports following an investigation into match-fixing linked to organized betting syndicates. The probe, initiated in late 2024, uncovered over 70 suspicious bets placed between December 2024 and March 2025, involving accounts tied to China-based criminal networks. This development underscores ongoing efforts to safeguard competitive integrity in global esports betting markets, where unregulated wagering poses significant risks to fair play.

ESIC enforces sanctions against multiple players and teams for match-fixing, underscoring the need for robust anti-corruption measures in global esports betting markets.

ESL Impact, the leading women’s esports circuit, has implemented enhanced integrity protocols for its Season 8 matches to combat betting-related misconduct. Announced on September 11, 2025, the measures strengthen oversight of betting activities, aligning with the Esports Integrity Commission’s (ESIC) latest guidelines. This development underscores the industry’s commitment to maintaining trust in esports betting markets amid growing global participation.

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has unveiled enhanced anti-corruption measures to strengthen oversight in the rapidly growing esports betting ecosystem. Announced within the last 48 hours, these initiatives target match-fixing and betting fraud, reinforcing ESIC’s role as a global leader in safeguarding competitive integrity. This development signals a proactive step to protect operators, bettors, and the broader esports industry from illicit activities.

Regulatory frameworks evolve, with Belgium launching a six-year gambling strategy.

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has amended advertising regulations to close a loophole allowing overseas-registered gambling operators to bypass restrictions. This change, effective immediately, strengthens oversight of gambling ads, including those tied to esports betting, ensuring compliance with UK standards. The move addresses growing concerns about unregulated advertising in the rapidly expanding esports betting ecosystem.

The Illinois government has introduced a new 50-cent tax per wager on sports betting, including esports, effective September 1, 2025. This regulatory change, enacted through recent legislation, applies to all bet sizes and has sparked debate among operators and bettors. The tax aims to boost state revenue but raises concerns about its impact on the growing esports betting market.

Recent developments at the Esports World Cup have highlighted both standout performances and surprising setbacks, capturing the attention of fans and bettors worldwide.

Esports is rapidly emerging as a global competitive arena that blends skill, strategy, and structured oversight. With government initiatives and increasing investment, the industry is transforming entertainment while opening new economic opportunities.