eSports

Copper Box Arena, the Home of eSports, as the Positive effects of gaming are revealed in new study

Published

2 years ago

October 20, 2023

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Better gyms and leisure surveyed over 2,000 people in the UK, including almost 1,000 gamers, on the benefits of gaming and their perceptions of what a gamer is.

95% underestimate the physical activity and training regimes of pro gamers.
86% of people in the UK don’t think eSports athletes deserve the same recognition and respect as traditional athletes.
Non-gamers get just 12 minutes more sleep per night than gamers.
Over a third of gamers say their attention has improved since starting gaming.

Copper Box Arena on Queen Elizabeth Park in East London celebrated it’s 10 year anniversary this year and is fast becoming the home of eSports in the UK, with a new study revealing the diverse image of gamers and eSports professionals across the country, as well as a host of positive impacts associated with gaming.

The research from Better, operators of the Copper Box Arena, found that 96% of gamers report positive impacts in their day-to-day lives, with benefits including improvements to their attention span (33%), stress relief (50%), a sense of escapism (48%), and improved mental health (30%). For many, gaming allows players to connect with others online and temporarily escape the stresses of the real world, with Copper Box Arena providing a huge platform for the gaming community to share in these benefits.

Copper Box Arena is drawing in avid eSports fans from all over the world, and Stuart Hutchison, General Manager at Copper Box Arena, said: “We’re immensely proud to be part of the emergence of eSports. Copper Box Arena is rapidly becoming the home of eSports in the UK after hosting huge tournaments such as League of Legends, Apex Legends, and Call of Duty: Warzone Global Series Finals already this year.”

86% of people in the UK don’t think eSports athletes deserve the same recognition and respect as traditional athletes.

Despite the gaming industry’s rapid growth and the evident benefits of gaming, the study revealed that there is still some way to go to convince non-gamers, with many misconceptions of gaming still prevalent.

Overwhelmingly, 86% of respondents in the UK do not believe that eSports athletes deserve the same recognition and respect as traditional athletes. Furthermore, only one in five respondents viewed eSports as a legitimate form of competitive sport compared to traditional sports like football and rugby, and almost 9 in 10 Brits were unwilling to accept eSports into the Olympics.

Additionally, over half of the UK population (54%) believes gaming can cause some form of social isolation, and three in 10 feel it would encourage poor mental health. While our study showed gamers were actually spending more time outside than non-gamers, Brits still believe gaming would lead to a lack of exercise (58%), an unhealthy lifestyle (47%), and a poor diet (42%).

However, there is a glimmer of hope for eSports enthusiasts, as a quarter of Brits believe that eSports has the potential to attain the same level of popularity as traditional sports in the future, signifying potential growth amongst fans of the industry.

Commenting on the comparison, Nathan David, Head of Foundation at the College of eSports (CoEs), which offers innovative and practice-focused degrees in a range of international eSports business areas, said: “If you speak to any performance athlete, they will tell you that despite the physical aspect of sport and competition being key, the mental and psychological factors are just as important; dealing with stress and performing under pressure are two parallels often referred to.

“I think you will see an attitude change in the perception of eSports over the next 5 to 10 years or so as misconceptions and further understanding of our industry is addressed.”

Non-gamers get just 12 minutes more sleep per night than gamers.

The prevailing stereotype of gamers as isolated, sedentary individuals glued to screens has long persisted. However, the research reveals that gamers actually spend longer on average outside each day than non-gamers. With regards to sleep, over half (56%) of Brits felt gaming would encourage a lack of sleep. However, non-gamers stated they get an average of just under six and a half hours a night, compared to gamers’ six hours and 16 minutes, revealing a minuscule 12-minute difference between the two.

Nathan David said: “We always promote a healthy, balanced lifestyle that includes promoting your wellbeing socially, mentally, and physically. It is undeniable that gaming is almost entirely sedentary, but it is achievable to still be physically and mentally healthy despite playing games. Good sleep/recovery, a balanced diet, and physical activity are necessary in all forms of life, including for esports players or gamers.”

eSports

Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President

Published

3 days ago

December 10, 2025

George Miller

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The International Esports Federation (IESF) concluded its 17th Ordinary General Meeting (OGM) in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, alongside the 17th World Esports Championship Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) Finals. Member federations from around the world gathered to review the federation’s annual progress, adopt key motions, and participate in the 10th IESF Elections, marking a milestone moment in the federation’s governance history.

During the election session, Vlad Marinescu was re-elected as the 10th President of the IESF, securing his second term. His re-election reflects the continued confidence of the membership in his leadership and vision for the future of the World of Esports.

“I am truly grateful for the trust placed in me to continue leading the International Esports Federation,” Marinescu said. “As we mark our 10th election cycle, we remain steadfast in our commitment to unity, transparency, and the sustained growth of the World of Esports.”

Delegates reviewed strategic priorities for the year ahead, including enhanced governance standards, expanded athlete development initiatives, and strengthened international cooperation. Voting on member-submitted motions underscored the federation’s collective commitment to advancing integrity, professionalism, and institutional maturity across the esports ecosystem.

The assembly also elected the IESF Board for 2026, comprising:

Board Members:

HRH Prince Omar Bin Faisal – Jordan
Afiq Fadhli Bin Narawi – Malaysia
Elin Yoojung Moen – Norway
Clint Kennedy – United States
Flip De Bruyn – Namibia

The OGM concluded as the 17th World Esports Championship MLBB Finals continued, highlighting IESF’s ongoing mission to unite nations through Esports and support athletes, federations, and fans worldwide.

The post Vlad Marinescu Re-Elected as 10th IESF President appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Bet builder

GG.BET launches Bet Builder for a new way to bet

Published

1 week ago

December 3, 2025

George Miller

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Customers can now use Bet Builder, a format that lets them build their own set of markets on one match into a single bet with higher odds. Bet Builder is available for both esports and sports events. You can try out the new feature with a deposit bonus of up to 150% and a free bet worth up to $50.

Customers can now place a combined bet on a single match by picking various options for how events in the match will play out. For example, in CS2, customers can choose which team will win on a specific map, how many kills a specific player will rack up, how many rounds will be played on a single map, and so on.

To place a Bet Builder bet, pick an event that hasn’t started yet, press the ‘Bet Builder’ button, put together your selection of markets from those available, get higher combo odds, and finish placing the bet in one click. At this initial stage, GG.BET is offering Bet Builder on football, basketball, hockey, CS2, Dota 2, LoL, and VALORANT, with more sports and disciplines to be added down the line.

“GG.BET has always been known for embracing unconventional markets and elaborate betting options. Bet Builder is there to meet customer demand for more interesting formats in a single match. The ability to make predictions right down to a specific round and any other tiny detail of a match is what gives users variety and improves their skills,” the GG.BET press office explained.

GG.BET is offering customers the opportunity to test out the Bet Builder format with a deposit bonus of up to 150% and a free bet of up to $50.

The post GG.BET launches Bet Builder for a new way to bet appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.

Asia

IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur

Published

1 week ago

December 3, 2025

George Miller

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The World Esports Championship 2025 (WEC25) is officially open in Kuala Lumpur, welcoming athletes, fans, and delegations from around the globe. With 19 nations taking part in Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB), this year’s event stands as the most internationally diverse MLBB competition in IESF history.

After a year filled with national and regional qualifiers and preparations from teams around the world, the world’s top esports athletes have arrived in Malaysia’s capital, Kuala Lumpur. The opening ceremony set the tone for the days ahead, offering fans a first glimpse of the excitement and atmosphere surrounding this year’s championship.

“WEC25 reflects the continued growth of esports as a space for connection, competition, and shared passion,” said IESF General Secretary Boban Totovski. “Bringing together 19 nations for MLBB is a milestone not just for the title, but for the entire esports ecosystem. We are proud to bring this edition of the championship to Kuala Lumpur.”

As the competition officially kicks off, the schedule is fully packed with exciting match-ups among Nations, competing for their flag and country. The best from all over the world will have the unique opportunity to become the MLBB World Champion.

IESF extends its gratitude to the Malaysian government and the Ministry for Youth and Sports, partners, athletes, and global supporters who continue to elevate the championship’s reach and impact.

The post IESF Officially Opens the World Esports Championship 2025 in Kuala Lumpur appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.