Esports Integrity Commission welcomes NZ Federation

The NZESF, which is a government-recognised national sporting organisation (NSO), will work with ESIC to integrate the commission’s integrity program into its operations and all of its sanctioned events.

One of the national body’s key areas of focus, aside from the regulation and governance of esports in New Zealand, is creating a pathway for young esports players to progress to higher levels of competition.

“Part of our mandate as an NSO is to monitor and enforce the integrity of events sanctioned by us,” NZESF president Ben Lenihan said.

“This is becoming increasingly relevant as gambling becomes a bigger part of the world of esports. We have engaged with ESIC in order to be able to supply sanctioned tournament operators with world-class monitoring and investigation services.”

ESIC commissioner Ian Smith added: “ESIC acknowledges the NZESF’s commitment and dedication to a uniform and global standard for competitive integrity in esports.

“As a member of ESIC, the NZESF will be able to engage with us on issues that are centrally related to youth protection and competitive integrity. Furthermore, the NZESF’s members will enjoy the benefit of a global network of information relating to the maintenance of competitive integrity in events.”

In April, ESIC hit out at what it described as a “false narrative” that it worked for the esports betting industry.