Challenges of E-sports Governance in Iran

The aim of this study was to provide a critical interpretation of Iran’s e-sports ecosystem by analyzing the various dimensions of its governance challenges. This qualitative and exploratory research, conducted through an interpretive and inductive approach, employed semi-structured interviews with ۱۲ experts, along with an analysis of existing documents and literature, to identify and examine the structural and institutional barriers to effective governance in Iranian e-sports. Data were analyzed using thematic coding based on Braun and Clarke’s (۲۰۰۶) six-phase method, and key findings were illustrated through representative quotations. The findings indicated that the first major challenge in the governance of e-sports in Iran is the absence of a centralized and integrated governing structure, resulting from institutional ambiguity, overlapping roles, and lack of coordination among responsible bodies—factors that have hindered the formation of stable long-term policies. The second finding highlighted institutional and structural weaknesses in the organization and management of competitions, where the absence of standardized and formal systems has undermined trust and social capital among players, teams, and investors. The third finding revealed that stakeholder participation in decision-making is minimal, with policies predominantly formulated in a top-down, non-participatory manner—an issue that obstructs collaborative governance and the sustainable development of the e-sports ecosystem. Overall, the study demonstrated that e-sports governance in Iran faces deep institutional, structural, and cultural challenges. The lack of a unified central institution has led to fragmented decision-making, weak coordination, and limited socio-economic legitimacy.

کلیدواژه ها:

Gaming ، esports ، esports ecosystem ، governance