ETHICAL ISSUES AFFECTING UNDERAGE PLAYERS IN THE E-SPORTS SYSTEM BETWEEN PROBLEMS OF INTEGRITY AND GENDER-BASED DISCRIMINATION: POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS FROM AN INTERNATIONAL LAW PERSPECTIVE

Abstract

The vast majority of e-sports players, whether professional or amateur, are underage teenagers. Given the very young age of the players, the ethical issues affecting the e-sports system pose a series of additional risks, as e-sports players could be more vulnerable and susceptible to corruption attempts and discriminatory treatment. This paper will first seek to identify the main issues affecting underage players and, then, to suggest possible solutions under International Law.
In particular, the first part will discuss the problems of integrity that undermine the legitimacy and the growth of the e-sports sector, such as illegal betting, match-fixing and doping. After a brief explanation of the phenomena, the work will analyse the sanctions provided in the e-sports system in order to suggest some guidelines for uniform rules.
The second part of the paper, in turn, will focus on gender-related challenges faced by young female players, notably equal participation and professional opportunities, the toxic patriarchal culture of objectification and hyper sexualization both of the players themselves and of female characters, as well as online violence and harassment. Suggested approaches will comprise the analysis of legal protections to female minors in the realm of International Law, as well as progressive initiatives by international actors such as the “Game Changers Coalition” by UNICEF.
Keywords: e-Sports Integrity, International Federations, gender, discrimination, International Law.