E-sports: a matter for the federal government

This week, the first details of the coalition negotiations between the SPD, the Greens, and the FDP were made public. According to information from Handelsblatt, the parties in the coalition want to invest massively in digitalization in Germany. E-sports experts now demand that the future federal government also pay attention to e-sports and support it politically.

According to experts, targeted support is necessary, especially in the amateur sector. Nicole Lange, e-sports product manager at the sports magazine Kicker, told the Indian casino online newsroom:

“A lot still needs to be done in the amateur sector, there is still a lack of uniform orientation here. Moreover, the clubs are still very much on their own. As far as training in eSports is concerned, there is still room for improvement; here, a media design education is not enough”.

This view is also underlined by the game - Verband der Deutschen Games-Branche in its updated version of the "game Fokus Esport" published this month. 

Requirements for the recognition of the non-profit status of e-sports

According to research by the game association, e-sports have become a mass social phenomenon in Germany. Fifty-nine million people in Germany know what e-sports is or have heard about it. There is now a complete ecosystem around e-sports with e-sports teams, leagues, and tournaments. 

The question of whether it is a sport or not is irrelevant. Nicole Lange sees it the same way. According to her, people in Germany are still very concerned with terminology. That gets in the way.

The Game Federation explains in its study that clubs are more about the sense of community. They train together, promote young talent and teach children and young people media skills.

So there is no difference between e-sports clubs and clubs that have a purpose recognized as charitable. If the future government does not pass the non-profit status of e-sports, Germany will miss a great social opportunity, explains game director Felix Falk:

“Millions of players in Germany participate in esports competitions - often outside club structures. These could help to exploit the great social potential of esports. Whether it is media competence and youth work or team spirit, fair play and the idea of achievement: these are all important values and competencies that esports could convey particularly well in clubs”.

The new federal government should finally give esports the recognition it deserves because of the importance that millions of people have long attached to it.