Danish esports staff Ecstatic has introduced Gamban, a gambling-blocking software program, as its new sponsor. This marks the primary time an esports staff has partnered with a playing prevention group, relatively than a playing firm.
Co-owner Oliver “zipeL” Behrensdorff stated that his historical past of drawback playing influenced the choice to staff up with Gamban.
Playing sponsorship continues to dominate in esports. Picture Credit score: Mina Rad/Unsplash
“That is private for me,” stated Behrensdorff. “I’ve had intervals of drawback playing myself, and putting in Gamban was my first step towards change. We’re not right here to high-road anybody. We’re right here to supply a lifeline to those that want one.”
Partnership Goals To Assist Drawback Gamblers
In a press launch, the corporate stated it hopes the transfer will increase consciousness of drawback playing for individuals who want it.
The partnership said it intends to do the next:
“1. Launch a group Discord hub providing nameless peer teams, skilled talks, and sensible instruments for anybody seeking to pause or cease playing.
Make assist straightforward and stigma-free, particularly for younger followers who really feel misplaced in conventional assist teams.
Show that non-gambling sponsors can thrive in esports, unlocking this hard-to-reach demographic for mainstream manufacturers, and provoking different industries to put money into the house.”
Different esports gamers have gone public about their playing issues. Fellow Scandinavian Tommy “Taiga” Le revealed that he fought playing dependancy throughout his time as an esports participant.
Ecstatic observe that taking cash from playing corporations is the norm, however hopes the unprecedented transfer to associate up with a hurt prevention group will encourage others.
“For ten years, Gamban has helped folks block entry to playing on their units and start their restoration,” stated Matt Zarb-Cousin a co-founder of Gamban. “Partnering with a staff that rejects playing sponsorship completely is a strong first step. We hope this conjures up others to put money into esports with out exploiting dependancy.”
Playing operators sponsor greater than 80% of the highest 50 CS2 groups. Taiga’s former staff, OG, stated it was focusing on betting sponsors not too long ago resulting from monetary troubles.
The development applies to different sports activities as nicely. In soccer, two-thirds of golf equipment throughout 31 main European leagues nonetheless carry betting sponsors.
Some leagues, nonetheless, have positioned restrictions on sponsorships. The Netherlands banned playing promoting throughout all sports activities earlier this 12 months. Gamban has an present partnership with the Dutch regulator, the KSA.
Moreover, Italy and Spain prohibit soccer groups from displaying playing corporations on the entrance of their shirts. The Premier League in England has additionally voted for a front-of-shirt ban from subsequent season.
“Whereas playing cash pours in, no sponsorships till now have put participant welfare first,” stated Ecstatic.
