A massive stadium roars with excitement as thousands of fans sit at the edge of their seats. Their eyes are fixed on giant screens where professional gamers showcase their skills in virtual competitions. These events, known as esports or electronic sports, draw millions of in-person and online spectators across time zones. Gaming has outgrown its reputation as just a fun pastime and become a global entertainment powerhouse.

The most popular types of esports tournaments involve players competing on teams, in games like first-person shooters (FPS), multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) and real-time strategy. Blockbuster FPS titles like Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty, and PUBG have seen huge success, as have popular MOBAs like League of Legends and Dota 2. Other well-known esports include fighting games, racing and sports simulations.

Many esports have a centralized organization overseeing competitions and ensuring the fairness of play. The Overwatch League, for example, runs from January through July and features live pre- and post-game analysis by a team of analysts, as well as in-match commentary by broadcasters who specialize in the game being played.

But the esports industry is growing faster than laws can keep up. As a result, different countries handle gaming competitions differently, leading to legal confusion around issues like player contracts and gambling rules. This makes it difficult for esports to expand globally and maintain a level playing field.