The ESIC has launched this week – a union that’s aiming to tackle an illegal marketplace worth over $200 billion, and make esports a fun, fair space for all involved.
It’s primarily aiming to deal with match fixing and doping, but it’s going to address all types of cheating, and the Coalition are handling all of the responsibility that comes with regulating this kind of thing. They’ll be drawing up rules, investigating breaches, prosecuting offenders, and working to prevent them before they start. They’re also working with key stakeholders in the esports community – developers, publishers, players, broadcasters, betting associations, and league owners, to name a few. They want to create an agreed vision for what the rules should be and how they should work.
Initial members and supporters include the ESL, Dreamhack, Intel, Rainbow6, Sportradar, Unikrn, Betway, Plantronics, and Sheridans.
So, what else? ESIC is in talks about membership with a few interested parties like 343 Industries, Blizzard, and EA, and putting its policies into practice with those already signed up. They’ve created a program for professional stakeholders to use already, including tournament organisers, platforms, games publishers and licensed/regulated bookmakers offering esports betting markets. Have a look here if you’re interested.
Ian Smith is the first Integrity Commissioner of ESIC, who brings real life experience to esports. He’s worked at the Professional Cricketers’ Association, the Federation of International Cricketers’ Associations, the UK Anti-Doping Athlete Committee and the International Cricket Council. He’s also advised various organisations on integrity, including the Professional Players Association, EUAthletes, Uni World Athletes and more. With a guy like this at the helm, the future of esports looks bright.
