PORMAL na isinulong ng Games and Amusement Board (GAB), sa pamamagitan ng nilagdaang resolution, ang pagiging professional sports ng E-Sports (Electronic Sports) sa bansa na kauna-unahan sa Asia.

Nilagdaan nina GAB Chairman Abraham Kahlil ‘Baham’ Mitra, kasama sina Commissioners Eduard Trinidad at Mar Masanguid ang pagbibigay lehitimo sa E-Sports bilang isang professional sports sa bansa, sapat para matugunan ang pangangailangan at proteksyon sa e-sports athletes at organizers ng sports.

“This new endeavour is GAB’s effort to promote responsible gaming,” pahayag ni Mitra, dating Palawan Governor at two-time member ng House of the Representatives.

“E-Sports is here to stay. It is part of technological evolution and a reality that has evolved into a new kind of sport, not only in our country but in the other parts of the world as well,” aniya.

Ayon kay Mitra, nagsimulang i-sanctioned ng GAB ang E-Sports may isang taon na ang nakalilipas. Sa unang anim na buwan, pitong E-Sports game, kabilang ang Galaxy Battles 2 ang isinagawa sa bansa.

“Likewise, in the 3rd and 4th quarters of 2017, 107 professional E-sport athletes were licensed by the Board. These permits and licenses brought in a total of P92,340.00 additional revenue for the government for 2017 alone,” pahayag ni Mitra.

“Total permits and licenses issued for e-sports in 2018 reached to 207 for a total of P403,890 additional revenue,” aniya.

Iginiit ni Mitra na malaking tulong ang e-sports tournament hindi lamang sa aspeto ng turismo dahil sa pagdagsa ng foreign players, bagkus ang dagdag na revenue shares para sa pamahalaan, sa pamamagitan nang mas maraming lisensiya at permit na aaprubahan ng GAB.