New Bill could transform Singapore’s esports ecosystem with national support and legitimacy
A Landmark Step for Esports in Singapore
Singapore is on the verge of making history. The Singapore government has proposed a legislative amendment that would officially recognise esports as a sport, putting it on the same level as traditional and mind sports such as chess and bridge.
The Singapore Sports Council (Amendment) Bill 2025, read for the first time in Parliament on November 4th, aims to update the long-standing Singapore Sports Council Act 1973. If passed, it will redefine the country’s understanding of what qualifies as a sport, with esports and mind sports formally included for the first time.
The proposal reflects the nation’s evolving sporting culture and the growing recognition that digital competition now plays a major role in both youth engagement and international events.
What the Bill Proposes
The amendment, numbered Bill No. 19/2025, seeks to expand the role of the Singapore Sports Council (SSC), also known as Sport Singapore (SportSG), beyond traditional athletics.
Under the Bill, SportSG’s remit would grow to include:
- Esports and mind sports like chess and bridge within its official definition of sports
- Accreditation and regulation of facilities, coaching, and equipment
- Athlete development and training institutions for both physical and digital athletes
- Partnership with the Singapore National Paralympic Council, elevating inclusivity in the nation’s sports ecosystem
The amendment also proposes increasing the Council’s membership from 15 to 25 members, allowing for more diverse representation across sporting disciplines.
Once the Bill passes through Parliament and receives formal assent from President Tharman Shanmugaratnam, the change will be enacted into law and published in the Government Gazette.
Esports’ Rapid Rise in Singapore
Esports has already become a major force in Singapore’s entertainment and sporting culture. The country hosted The International 2022, the world’s largest Dota 2 tournament, marking the first time the event was held in Southeast Asia. It also welcomed the inaugural Olympic Esports Week in 2023, solidifying its reputation as a regional hub for gaming and digital competition.
Government officials have highlighted the strong economic potential of the gaming industry. At Gamescom Asia 2024, Singapore’s Minister of State for Trade and Industry Alvin Tan noted that the video games and esports markets are projected to grow at annual rates of 13.3% and 9.2%, respectively.
This growth is mirrored in mind sports too, with national chess participation climbing by nearly 20% since 2022, and Singapore even hosting the World Chess Championship last year.
Industry Leaders Applaud the Move
Among those celebrating the proposed amendment is Min-Liang Tan, Founder and CEO of Razer, who praised the decision as a “progressive step forward” for Singapore’s gaming community.
“As a gamer from Singapore — and now as CEO of Razer — this really hits home,” Tan said in a LinkedIn post. “When I was growing up, gaming wasn’t something most people took seriously. To see Singapore now formally recognising esports as a legitimate sport is incredible.”
He added that this step “opens the door for structured athlete development, coaching, and pathways for young talent — whether they’re competing on a field, a chessboard, or in an esports arena.”
Razer itself has been heavily involved in Singapore’s gaming innovation, launching an AI Centre of Excellence locally earlier this year, further linking esports with technological and economic development.
What This Could Mean for the Future
If enacted, this legislation would make Singapore one of the few countries in the world to legally recognise esports as an official sport, joining nations like South Korea and China.
The impact could be far-reaching. Formal recognition means esports athletes could receive structured funding, access to national facilities, and official representation under Team Singapore. It could also pave the way for education pathways, government-backed training, and even Olympic inclusion in the long term.
For the broader industry, it legitimises gaming as a viable career and strengthens Singapore’s ambition to be Asia’s premier esports hub. With support from both public and private sectors, the country could see a new wave of local esports talent rising to global prominence, backed by the same institutional support once reserved for traditional sports.