TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Sports Minister Lee Yang (李洋) said the government has been slow to develop the esports industry but hopes to do better.
Speaking at the Legislature in Taipei on Wednesday, Lee said shortcomings in the National Sports Act and Sports Industry Development Act should be addressed, per ETtoday.
The former Olympic badminton gold medalist said the ministry will continue to take practical steps to improve the esports industry. He emphasized that the government remains committed to working with industry stakeholders.
Lee said structural barriers have slowed esports growth despite Taiwan’s hardware manufacturing strength, citing three main challenges:
- Gaming venues lack standardization and funding.
- Regular competitions are difficult to hold.
- Game-related intellectual property costs remain high.
The ministry has listed esports as eligible for sports industry loans, credit insurance, and subsidies to reduce operational costs for venue operators, Lee said. The ministry is also drafting a white paper outlining its policy direction.
ETtoday quoted KMT Legislator Ko Ju-chun (葛如均) as saying Taiwan has the hardware supply chain to support esports industry development, with 80% of peripheral products and main equipment manufactured in Taiwan.
Ko added that a dedicated basic act would provide a stable legal framework for the industry, as esports involve many sectors and cannot be managed solely by the Ministry of Sports.
