Call for Non-Profit Status for Esports From Three Associations

The German eSports Association (ESBD), game - the German Games Industry Association and the North Rhine-Westphalian Sports Association have joined forces to appeal to politicians to finally recognise the non-profit status of esports.

On Monday, the German eSports Association (eSport-Bund Deutschland e.V. - ESBD), game - the German Games Industry Association and the North Rhine-Westphalian Sports Association called on representatives of the Bundestag and federal ministries to implement the non-profit status for esports in the form of so-called "Sportfiktion". The proposal aims to add the term "esports" to the catalogue of non-profit purposes. This would ensure that not only clubs with voluntary involvement in esports are recognised as non-profit organisations and can benefit from tax advantages with legal certainty, but also that the convergence of sport and esports is taken into account.

"The proposal is the best solution to create legal certainty for esports clubs and sports clubs offering esports, as well as for those who would like to offer esports in the future. This is in line with our original goal of building a bridge between esports and sports. The fact that we are taking this step together with game and the North Rhine-Westphalian Sports Association underlines the growing social acceptance of esports," says Christopher Flato, board member of the ESBD.

In the light of recent developments, such as the announcement of the Olympic Esports Games 2025, the associations believe that the proposed path is crucial to keep pace internationally - and they emphasise that the autonomy of sport and esports must be preserved. The recognition of non-profit status is to be included in the tax reform bill that the Bundestag will decide on in the coming weeks. It is clear that this is the last chance in the current legislative period.

Flato: "The coalition has to decide. Do they want to keep their promise from the coalition agreement or do they want to drop esports? The proposal is on the table, the arguments are well known. We urgently appeal to the political forces to follow the associations' proposal and close the chapter on non-profit status."

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