Game publisher MOONTON Games has formalised a mandatory regulatory framework for its third-party Mobile Legends: Bang Bang (MLBB) tournament licensing ecosystem.

Under the newly structured guidelines, any independent tournament organiser applying through MOONTON’s official licensing process must now integrate foundational components of the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) Integrity Program directly into their operational architecture to receive official tournament approval.

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The move establishes a uniform, publisher-enforced baseline for grassroots and independent competitive events globally. To secure an official license, prospective Third-Party Tournament Organisers (TPTOs) are required to embed ESIC integrity provisions and model clauses into all core documentation, including tournament rulebooks, Tournament Participation Agreements, and general terms and conditions.

Furthermore, independent operators must internationally recognise and enforce all official ESIC sanctions and suspensions. To support this structural shift, a dedicated MOONTON integrity portal has been deployed on the ESIC website to provide licensed operators with standardised legal templates and compliance resources.

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Ray Ng, Head of Esports Ecosystem at MOONTON Games, highlighted the strategic importance of third-party infrastructure, stating that independent tournaments “play an important role in creating opportunities for players, engaging grassroots communities, and broadening the competitive landscape.” Ng noted that aligning these operations with internationally recognised standards is a vital step toward creating a professional, transparent environment.

ESIC Chief Executive Officer Stephen Hanna added that by integrating this infrastructure into MOONTON’s licensing framework, “integrity standards become embedded into the operational foundation of competition itself.”

As MLBB continues its global expansion beyond its core Southeast Asian strongholds into territories like the Americas and Europe, the publisher relies on external organisers to scale local community engagement. Tightening the licensing requirements is a move to protecting the commercial value of the MLBB esports, aimed at mitigating risks associated with match-fixing or betting fraud in unmonitored tiers and at offering a more secure, risk-managed ecosystem for regional broadcasters and sponsors.

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