Esports betting: the UK Gambling Commission provides some insight and flexes its muscles

As the popularity of skin betting and other forms of gambling relating to esports continues to grow - and with one eye on the intervention of the Washington State Gambling Commission in respect of Valve's online platform Steam - the UK Gambling Commission has published a discussion paper on virtual currencies, esports and social gaming. The discussion paper sets out the Commission's current thinking as to the extent to which such activities need to be licensed. Hot on its heels follows what is believed to be the first ever prosecution in the UK concerning skin betting. We take a look at the views of the Commission, and consider the implications for operators.