ACGL calls for more visible esports rule enforcement at live tournaments

ACGL co-founder and managing director Nic Holden is pushing for more visibility around how sportsmanship and rule enforcement work in organised esports tournaments in South Africa. In a statement, Holden said competitive gaming has administrators, rule books and penalties similar to traditional sport, but that “almost none of this is understood outside the gaming community itself.”

Holden described sportsmanship in gaming as behaviour around losing, respecting opponents and following the “spirit of the rules.” He pointed to live event norms such as post-match “GG,” handshakes or fist bumps, and using formal dispute channels rather than arguing in front of spectators, including younger players and parents.

On enforcement, Holden said organised tournaments rely on administrators and referees to handle disputes, apply penalties and remove players who breach codes of conduct. He outlined a process where staff pause proceedings, review available information, speak to players and apply rules “as consistently as possible,” covering issues such as incorrect match settings, early departures, disputed results and inappropriate conduct.

Holden also addressed cheating and harassment, arguing that in-person, organised tournaments create accountability that anonymous online play often lacks. He said sanctions can range from warnings and match penalties to disqualification and bans, depending on severity and repetition, adding that “investigate, verify and act” underpins ACGL’s escalation approach.

ACGL operates mall-based esports tournaments in South Africa and runs the MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience, which it lists as “brought to you by MTN and Hyprop.” The company’s broader point: esports “does not lack rules,” but the governance layer behind events is not widely recognised by audiences outside the player community.