The elephant in the room: A global mechanism for E-Sport disputes

Abstract

The e-sports industry has seen exponential growth, leading to increased disputes among players, teams, and organisers. Traditional dispute resolution methods, such as litigation, often fall short due to their time-consuming nature, the lack of technical expertise of the parties, and the international scope of e-sports disputes. This article highlights the potential of Blockchain Dispute Resolution (BDR) mechanisms to address these challenges. BDR offers several advantages for e-sports dispute resolution, ensuring transparency by recording all transactions and decisions on a public ledger, which can be accessed by all parties involved. This reduces the risk of biased de cisions and enhances trust among stakeholders. Additionally, smart contracts can automate the enforcement of agreements, reducing the need for intermediaries and speeding up the resolution process. The article also un derscores the importance of developing standardised rules and protocols for blockchain-based dispute resolution in e-sports, as it provides a structured approach for the recognition and enforcement of decisions made through blockchain mechanisms. The article, therefore, argues that the integration of blockchain technology in e-sports not only offers potential solutions for dispute resolution but also opens new avenues for monetisation and fan engagement, exciting the industry and its fans with the possibilities it brings for a more interactive and engaging future