Southeast Asia’s gaming industry is on the rise. Between 2020 and 2025, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 8.5per cent, running counter to how the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted many traditional sports sectors.

The gaming industry, particularly e-sports, has instead thrived, as illustrated by The Asian Electronic Sports Federation (AESF) bringing back e-sports as a medal sporting event at the 2021 SEA Games in Vietnam (which has since been postponed), following its debut in 2019 – hence illustrating the commitment by major stakeholders to back e-sports’ inclusion in a major sporting event.