Danish Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) team ECSTATIC has named Gamban as its new main sponsor, marking what is claimed to be the first-ever esports partnership centred on gambling harm prevention.
The move comes against a backdrop where gambling brands are widely spread across CS2 sponsorships. According to ECSTATIC, more than 80% of the top 50 CS2 teams are backed by casinos or betting firms. “Gambling logos dominate the scene… Our goal is simple, inspire positive change and support those in need,” the team stated when announcing the deal on X.
Founded a decade ago, Gamban provides software that blocks access to gambling sites and apps. Gamban Co-Founder Matt Zarb-Cousin said the sponsorship sends a message to an industry where betting has long been a financial cornerstone: “Partnering with a team that rejects gambling sponsorship entirely is a powerful first step. We hope this inspires others to invest in esports without exploiting addiction.”
The partnership will see the launch of a community Discord hub with anonymous peer groups, expert talks and support tools aimed at gamers looking to stop gambling. ECSTATIC said accessibility and reducing stigma will be priorities, particularly for younger players. The announcement was met with generally positive reactions from fans on social media.
While acknowledging gambling’s entrenched role in esports, ECSTATIC framed the deal as an attempt to open the door for non-endemic brands. “For gambling to become less prevalent in our space, a key challenge is unlocking this hard-to-reach gaming demographic to mainstream brands,” the organisation stated.
