The Esports World Cup has just kicked off in Paris, France, but those heading to the country with a little esports betting in mind might find their experience soured somewhat. In France, the concept of gambling on esports titles is illegal, and there are no licensed websites that offer esports markets.
Paris just played host to the Call of Duty League Major 3 tournament, the biggest LAN event in COD esports history, and now, it’s hosting the Esports World Cup, a monumental showcase lasting several weeks that has a whopping $75 million prize pool – and nobody in France can bet on any of the matches.
Esports Betting Ban in France Upheld During EWC
The French gambling regulator, Autorité Nationale des Jeux, reiterated in a recent blog post that ‘All sites offering esports betting are illegal in France.’
Whoever penned the page didn’t hold back, slamming ‘extremely attractive offers’ that open the door to ‘a significant risk of addiction’, and those dangers are exacerbated by the sheer volume of unlicensed, unprotected gambling sites that try to accommodate French visitors.
Most commonly, those looking to have a flutter on an esports event like the Esports World Cup will need to rely on a VPN in France.
Over the next few weeks, more than 100,000 esports fans will travel to Paris to watch some portion of the Esports World Cup, the most valuable competitive gaming event in history. This weeks-long showcase will host the MLBB Mid-Season Cup, the ALGS Split Playoffs, the FC Pro 26 World Championship, the Honor of Kings World Cup, and much more.
It’s an utter spectacle, but anyone wanting to place bets on the Esports World Cup while in Paris will find themselves locked out of the loop.
Even sites like Polymarket, which offer a unique take on the concept of esports betting, are prohibited from operating in France.
Does this news sour your opinion of the Esports World Cup? Let us know your thoughts on the Insider Gaming Discord server.
For more Insider Gaming coverage, check out our EWC interview with Team Heretics’ benjyfishy, and for even more Insider Gaming delivered directly to your inbox, sign up for our newsletter
Grant has been gaming for 30+ years and in the industry for 10+. You'll probably find him playing a post-apocalyptic game or an extraction shooter somewhere.
More from Grant Taylor-Hill
Comments