Regulation
Laws, visas, federations and player unions: the rules that apply to esports, country by country.
How the Asian Games Added Esports as a Medal Sport
A guide to how esports went from a demonstration event to a full medal sport at the Asian Games, and what that path says about the Olympics.
RegulationHow foreign esports players can compete in the UK: visitor rules and visas
The UK Immigration Rules let a visiting sports person play in a tournament, and keep a work route for elite athletes. What each allows, and where esports meets an unsettled question.
RegulationWho governs esports in Asia's Olympic system: the OCA and the AESF
Asia's multi-sport games put esports in national colors. This guide explains who sets the program, who runs the competitions and who speaks for the national federations.
RegulationKuwait to host first Asian Esports and Mind Sports Games in 2027
The Olympic Council of Asia has signed Kuwait as host of a new esports event for 2027 and says esports stays in the Asian Games. Its board voted in 2024 to remove it.
RegulationUnder 18 in Brazil: how Riot's age checks work for League of Legends
Which Riot games are rated 18 in Brazil for now, how adults verify their age, what happens to an under-18 account, how Valorant consent works and what comes next.
RegulationPEGI 16 for paid loot boxes: how Europe's new game ratings work
From June 2026, PEGI rates games with paid random items 16 and adds ratings for spending pressure, daily play and chat safety. Existing games are revisited from October 1.
RegulationHow a 2019 Scandal Reshaped Esports Player Rights in Korea
South Korea's esports player protections, built after the 2019 Griffin scandal, now include standard contracts, arbitration and an international tribunal.
RegulationBrazil's ECA Digital: what the law says on loot boxes and age checks
How Brazil's Law 15,211 and its March 2026 decree define loot boxes, ban them for under-18s, require reliable age checks, and who enforces the penalties.
RegulationBrazilian court orders Riot to pay R$15 million over loot boxes
A children's court in Brasília found League of Legends loot boxes abusive toward minors and ordered R$15 million in collective damages. Riot can still appeal.
RegulationThe salary floor of Germany's esports visa rule for foreign players
Germany lets clubs hire foreign esports players without the employment agency's approval, on three conditions. This guide explains the age rule, the 2026 pay floor and the federation's role.
RegulationPlaying a US tournament for prize money only: the B-1 visa rule
The US State Department lets consular officers issue a business visitor visa to athletes paid only in prize money. What its manual requires, who it covers and how it differs from P-1.
RegulationIndia's New Online Gaming Rules Separate Esports From Betting
India's Online Gaming Rules 2026, effective May 1, formally separate esports from real-money gaming and require registration with a new regulator.
RegulationIndia's 2026 gaming rules make esports titles register with a new body
India's IT ministry has notified rules that create the Online Gaming Authority of India from May 1. Every game offered as an esport must register with it.
RegulationUS tax on prize money for foreign players: the 30 percent withholding
Prize money won in the United States by a foreign player can be taxed before it is paid. How the IRS withholding rule works, which forms are involved and where a treaty changes the rate.
RegulationKorea amends its esports law so local governments can found teams
South Korea's National Assembly passed an amendment to the E-Sports Promotion Act on March 31, giving local governments a legal basis for teams, events and youth programs.
RegulationThe P-1A visa for esports players: what a US petition requires
Foreign players who come to compete in the United States can be petitioned for as P-1A athletes. What USCIS asks of a petition, from recognition to evidence, length of stay and trades.
RegulationRiot pauses under-18 accounts in Brazil as the ECA Digital takes effect
Riot Games is rating League of Legends and four other games 18 in Brazil for now. Adults verify their age from March 16; under-18 players lose access on March 18.
RegulationGermany makes esports a charitable purpose: what clubs gain in 2026
Since January 1, 2026, Germany's Fiscal Code counts esports as sport for charitable status. How the rule was written, how esports is defined, and what it changes for clubs.
RegulationKorean bill seeks longer tax relief for regional esports events
A South Korean lawmaker introduced an amendment on February 19 to extend tax benefits for regional esports events. The 10% credit ends on December 31, 2026.