Gaming and esports law is one of the newer, more niche and genuinely interesting areas of legal practice, as gaming and esports grow as industries and raise their own legal questions. It draws people who are genuinely into gaming and this world. It is also, honestly, a developing niche rather than a large, established field. So let me give you an honest guide to building a career here.
Quick answer
To build a career in gaming and esports law, broadly: build a strong legal foundation (a solid grasp of law, ideally including related areas like technology, IP, media/entertainment, contract or commercial law); develop knowledge of the gaming and esports industry and its legal issues (understanding the industry and the legal questions it raises, from contracts to IP to regulation and more); follow the relevant legal and regulatory landscape (aspects of gaming can be subject to developing regulation, so follow the current position rather than assuming); gain relevant experience where you can (through work, internships or roles touching gaming, esports, media, entertainment, technology or IP law); and build toward the area with realistic expectations (as a developing niche).
The honest point is that gaming and esports law is a developing niche, interesting and growing, but not a large, established field, so dedicated roles are more limited, and it is usually wise to build a strong foundation in a related, established area, like IP, media and entertainment, technology or commercial law, while developing gaming and esports expertise.
The work suits lawyers genuinely interested in gaming, esports and this industry, who are comfortable with a niche, developing area. It rewards legal skills, genuine industry knowledge, and following the developing landscape. The keys are: strong foundation in a related area, genuine gaming and esports knowledge, following the landscape, relevant experience where available, and realistic expectations. This is a developing niche, so check the current gaming regulation and build a foundation.
Step 1: Build a strong legal foundation, especially in a related area
Start with a solid grasp of law, ideally including related, established areas such as technology, IP, media and entertainment, contract or commercial law, all of which connect to gaming and esports work. Given how niche gaming law is, a strong foundation in a related area is especially valuable, giving you solid work now and a base for gaming and esports expertise. See the IP, media and entertainment, and technology-law explainers.
Step 2: Develop genuine gaming and esports industry knowledge
Develop real understanding of the gaming and esports industry and the legal questions it raises, contracts, including those involving players, teams and sponsors, IP, regulation, and other industry-specific issues. Genuine industry knowledge is what makes you useful and credible here, and it usually comes with genuine interest in this world. See “Emerging Practice Areas: Gaming and Esports Law.”
Step 3: Follow the relevant legal and regulatory landscape
Aspects of gaming can be subject to developing regulation, and the landscape can vary and change. Follow the current legal and regulatory position rather than assuming or asserting a settled status, and stay current on developments. See “Skills the Future Lawyer Will Need.”
Step 4: Gain relevant experience where you can
Gain experience where available, through work, internships or roles touching gaming, esports, or the related media, entertainment, technology or IP law. Because the area is niche, dedicated roles are more limited, so relevant experience often comes via these related fields. Any genuine exposure builds skill and positions you for the niche as it grows.
Step 5: Build toward the area with realistic expectations
Build toward gaming and esports law with realistic expectations, as a developing niche. Position yourself for it, most sensibly by building a strong foundation in a related, established area while developing gaming and esports expertise and genuine industry knowledge. Genuine interest in this world is what carries you. See “Emerging Legal Practice Areas to Watch.”
YLCC ACTION STEP: Build a strong legal foundation, especially in a related, established area like IP, media and entertainment, technology or commercial law; develop genuine gaming and esports industry knowledge and its legal issues; follow the developing legal and regulatory landscape, checking the current position; gain relevant experience where you can, often via related media, IP or technology work; and build toward the area with realistic expectations. It’s a developing niche, so build a foundation while developing genuine gaming and esports expertise.
An honest note on the field’s stage
Honestly, gaming and esports law is a developing niche, genuinely interesting and growing as the industry grows, but not a large, established field, so dedicated roles are more limited. This does not mean avoid it. If you are genuinely into gaming and this world, it can be a rewarding niche to build toward.
But be realistic: build a strong foundation in a related, established area, develop gaming and esports expertise alongside, and follow the developing landscape. Genuine interest plus realism is the right combination.
PLEASE DON’T DO THIS: Please don’t treat gaming and esports law as a large, established field with plentiful dedicated roles, it is a developing niche. And please don’t assume or assert a settled legal or regulatory status for aspects of gaming; check the current position. Build a strong foundation in a related, established area, such as IP, media, technology or commercial law, develop genuine gaming and esports knowledge alongside, follow the developing landscape, and keep realistic expectations.
Who it suits (and who it doesn’t)
Gaming and esports law suits lawyers genuinely interested in gaming, esports and this industry, comfortable with a niche, developing area, and willing to build a foundation while developing industry expertise. It is less suited to those without genuine interest in this world, or wanting a large, established field with plentiful roles. If you are genuinely into this world, it can be a rewarding niche to build toward, carefully.
FAQs
- How do I build a career in gaming and esports law? Build a strong legal foundation, especially in a related area like IP, media and entertainment, technology or commercial law; develop genuine gaming and esports industry knowledge and its legal issues; follow the developing legal and regulatory landscape; gain relevant experience where you can; and build toward the area with realistic expectations.
- Is gaming and esports law a good area? It is a developing niche, interesting and growing, but not a large, established field, so dedicated roles are more limited. It suits those genuinely into gaming and this world.
- Are there many gaming-law jobs? Dedicated roles are more limited given how niche the area is; relevant experience often comes via related media, IP or technology work.
- What foundation should I build? A solid grasp of law, ideally including related areas like IP, media and entertainment, technology or commercial law, especially valuable given how niche gaming law is.
- What about regulation? Aspects of gaming can be subject to developing regulation that can vary and change. Follow the current position rather than assuming a settled status.
