Online eSports betting is a fast-growing industry. As a result, it needs regulation just like any other online gambling activity to ensure that all parties are not exploited. Esports betting regulators also set the base rules to be followed to ensure a smooth gambling and gaming experience for everyone involved. Over the years, several bodies and organisations have been able to regulate this ever-growing industry, with these generally serving specific jurisdictions. On this esports betting regulator review page, we have talked about the most popular ones and what they do. Kindly read on to find out more.
List of esports betting regulators
The most popular global eSports betting regulators are:
1. Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC)
Established in 2016, ESIC is an association formed by key eSports stakeholders to deal with common issues. Some of the concerns the organisations aim to deal with include match-fixing, doping, and cheating. Over the years, ESIC has integrated its regulations into Dota 2, CS:GO, League of Legends and StarCraft. ESIC has also partnered with other eSports betting regulators like the UK Gambling Commission to further its mission.
2. International Esports Federation (IeSF)
IeSF was established in 2008. Since then, the federation has regulated a number of eSports tournaments across the world. The objective of the global regulator is to ensure that eSports is recognised as a real sport. It aims to achieve this by increasing membership, training and education, global standardisation, and hosting world championships.
3. World Esports Association (WESA)
WESA was formed in 2016. Its vision is to build a genuine framework to support and strengthen the growth of eSports. The association has, over the years, worked with eSports organisations like FNatic, G2 eSports, Renegades, and ESL, to name a few. WESA has also regulated a number of tournaments, including the CS:GO ESL pro league.
4. British Esports Federation (BEF)
BEF has been in the eSports betting industry since 2016. Since then, the association has worked to promote eSports in the UK and create more awareness of the sport while inspiring the future generation. It mainly supports eSports from its grassroots and is not a governing body.
5. Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
Malta Gaming Authority is among the top five iGaming betting regulators. It was formed in 2001 and has since licensed many online casinos and betting sites, including many of the top eSports websites across the globe. The MGA licence has many functions, including player protection, fair gaming options, and protecting minors from gambling.
6. United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)
UKGC is the most popular global betting regulator in online gambling. It’s the main licensing body in the UK. It was formed in 2007 following the Gambling Act of 2005. UKGC also regulates other online betting activities, including casinos and the national lottery. The UKGC website also allows you to check if an operator is licensed by searching the account number or name. But in the UK, sports betting, including eSports, is regulated by BEF.
7. Alderney Gambling Control Commission (AGCC)
AGCC has been in the betting industry since 2000 with its mission to ensure and uphold the integrity of online gambling activities, including eSports. It also aims to protect the vulnerable and the young from being exploited by unscrupulous gambling operators. AGCC also allows you to report any abuse you experience when you visit any of the sites with its licence via their website.
8. Gibraltar Regulatory Authority (GRA)
GRA is among the top eSports betting regulators in the iGaming industry. It was established under the GRA Act of 2000. Since then, it has regulated a number of gambling activities in accordance with the Gibraltar legislation. The Gibraltar Regulatory Authority also allows players to report any wrongdoings concerning any online gambling operator with its licence.
9. Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission (GSC)
The Isle of Man Commission is one of the oldest iGaming regulatory bodies in the gambling industry. It regulates all the online and offline gambling activities on the island. GSC’s mandate is to protect minors and people at risk from being exploited by gambling operators. It also ensures that punters receive what they are owed whenever they visit any of its licensed casinos.
10. Curacao eGaming
Curacao eGaming is one of the oldest betting regulators in the eSports betting industry. It offers online casino licences to operators all across the globe. The Curacao licence also allows casino owners to offer punters different types of betting activities. At the same time, it protects the vulnerable from being exploited while gambling online. Be aware that this esports betting regulator often serves countries with strict gambling laws, and may not actually provide recourse if anything happens during your gambling journey.
11. Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC)
The Kahnawake Gaming Commission was established in 1996. It licences both online and offline casinos. For a long time, the regulator has protected every eSports party from exploitation by casino operators. It has also put in place measures to ensure that punters can report if they experience any issues while gambling online. The Khanawake Gaming Commission is a trustworthy service, however there have been several scandals over the years. We are unsure what the KGC’s future holds, given the rollout of many more regulated betting pursuits in Canada.
12. New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)
The DGE’s mandate is to oversee gambling companies’ day-to-day operations, including eSports in New Jersey. It also tests and approves all casino games before they are offered to the general public. The body has also put up measures to ensure that all parties involved are protected from unfair treatment while gambling online. The DGE has slowly rolled out more regulation surrounding esports betting since sports betting was officially legalised in the Garden State.
13. Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB)
PGCB was founded in 2004 to regulate gambling activities both online, like eSports betting, and offline in the state of Pennsylvania. It, however, does not regulate the national lottery. Among other duties, PGCB tests slot machines to ensure fair play is achieved. All online casinos with a PGCB licence also allow users to practise self-exclusion to encourage responsible gambling. Pennsylvania esports betting has slowly been rolled out since the state legalised online wagering.
14. Nevada Gaming Control Board (NGCB)
NGCB is the governing body that regulates all gambling activities, including eSports betting, in the state of Nevada. The body also ensures that all punters are protected from exploitation. It also allows users to report to the board if they experience any issues while gambling in the state of Nevada. The licence also allows operators to offer other gambling activities like slots betting, live dealing, mobile betting, and sports betting. Nevada esports betting has been rolled out since the state enacted online betting licensing and regulation.
15. Northern Territory Racing Commission
The Northern Territory Racing Commission is the no.1 sports betting regulator in Australia, with all Australian online bookmakers having extensive esports wagering. The NTRC has an impeccable record for keeping players safe and provides recourse for players to challenge issues they have with AU esports betting sites.
Why is it important to bet with regulated esports betting sites?
In conclusion, eSports betting is a huge market. So, if it’s not properly regulated, the parties involved will be exploited. But the above-mentioned global betting regulators come in handy to protect innocent parties. They have also put up measures to ensure that reports can be made to ensure a smooth iGaming experience for everyone.