Portugal to hold parliamentary conference on esports regulation, recognition

A parliamentary conference in Portugal is set to take place tomorrow (July 2nd) to discuss the need to regulate and recognise esports in the country. 

Called #PensarEsports, the first-ever parliamentary conference is being run by the Portuguese Electronic Sports Federation with the support of the Portuguese Socialist Party.

The conference aims to help create a regulatory framework for esports in the country. This includes discussing topics such as esports’ recognition as a sport, how esports can affect employment and the economy, legal frameworks and the impact of esports on mental health.

Taking place at the António Almeida Santos Auditorium in Lisbon, some of the stakeholders that will take part in the conference include José Manuel Constantino (President of the Olympic Committee of Portugal), Vitor Pataco (President of the Portuguese Institute of Sport and Youth) and Raul Faria (Head of Gaming and Esports of the Portuguese Football Association), among others.  

#PensarEsports is being championed by Portuguese MPs Miguel Costa Matos and André Pinotes Batista, both of which are members of the Socialist Party. Batista has been vocal about his support for esports in Portugal in recent years, with the politician regularly advocating for the sector.

The move is seemingly looking to create a clear government stance on esports in the country, which has not seen direct government support despite developments in the private sector. Multinational services company Teleperformance unveiled a €1.2m (~£1.0m) esports arena in Lisbon in 2022, and the Portuguese Football Federation created an esports campaign in 2023. The country’s state-owned broadcaster, RTP, has a dedicated esports coverage vertical called RTP Arena.

Later this year, Esports Insider will host its flagship esports business conference in Portugal. Taking place September 23rd- 25th, ESI Lisbon is set to welcome over 1,000 professionals from the esports, video game and creator economy sectors. ESI Hall of Fame 2024, Esports Insider’s live pitch investment competition The Clutch and ESI Film Festival will also take place at ESI Losbon. Tickets are still available now.