Table 1.

Safer esports related issues and suggestions for possible responses

Issues	Suggestions
Physical health	Providing reliable information, education and counselling on the possible negative consequences of extended play on players' bodies and lifestyle, the importance of a balanced diet, excercise and sleep. Providing information about the risks of using stimulants. Adapting drug prevention methods to the context of esports.
Mental health	Providing evidence-based information on specific risk factors, symptoms and treatment option of addiction for esport players and making information on help available within games and during events. Developing measures for the early detection of problematic or addictive use patterns, and measures of intervention, for example by adapting relevant player protection practices of the gambling industry. Preparing minors to navigate age-inappropriate and otherwise potentially harmful content to minimize the adverse effects of videogame playing on their development. Initiating open conversation to raise awareness and decrease stigmatization related to excessive video gaming.
Gambling elements	Providing reliable information about the nature and risks of gambling-like elements embedded in video games. Initiating regulation of lootboxes and skin gambling, such as imposing age restrictions, and requiring gambling operator licence, and implementing harm minimization and consumer protection measures. Limiting the number of gambling commercials and team sponsorship displays during tournaments. Providing further information, preventive measures, treatment and help for those with gambling problems.
Career-path in esports	Making information available regarding possible benefits, dangers and negative consequences of pursuing an esports career. Preparing schools and educators to supporting under-age players in succeeding in their studies while pursuing a career in esports
Women in esports	Encouraging the participation of women in esports by building a support system that takes into consideration the unique challenges they face, such as the potential of encountering negative or toxic behavior.
Support of professional esports players	Providing psychological and medical help for esports players. Involving sport psychologists to help with processing failure and success, stress-management and burnout prevention. Committing to ethical gaming by education of players, and initiating open conversation on the ethical aspects, such as cheating and using other illicit methods during gaming.
Implementation	Working cooperatively and collaboratively with stakeholders (policymakers, gaming regulators, gaming industry, national and international esports organizations, healthcare and treatment providers, educational institutes, researchers, and the parents/guardians of minors). Clarifying roles, responsibilities and tasks of stakeholders. Tasking at least partially the esports industry with the responsibility to protect consumers, and providing support to health services, education, prevention and related research. Using part of the industry profits for preventive measures. Supporting collaboration with researchers to develop evidence-based problem detection and intervention systems and policies. Conducting further esports-related research to understand protective and risk factors and consequences of gaming-related problems and to support the production of effective harm prevention and intervention.