Gamban becomes main sponsor of Danish esports team

Gamban becomes main sponsor of Danish esports team

Summary

Author: Zak Thomas-Akoo — 15 Sep, 2025

Danish Counter-Strike 2 team ECSTATIC has named Gamban as its main sponsor in what the parties describe as the sport’s first harm-prevention sponsorship deal. ECSTATIC deliberately rejected an offshore casino sponsor and will work with Gamban to launch a community hub aimed at supporting people struggling with gambling.

Gamban — a company that provides software to block access to gambling sites and apps — will run an anonymous Discord hub offering peer groups, expert talks and practical tools to help users pause or stop gambling. The deal is presented as both a lifeline for vulnerable fans and a demonstration that esports can attract non-gambling sponsors.

Key quotes: Matt Zarb-Cousin, Gamban co-founder, said the partnership is “a powerful first step” to help people begin recovery and inspire brands to invest in esports without exploiting addiction. ECSTATIC founder Oliver “zipeL” Behrensdorff said Gamban played a personal role in his own recovery.

Key Points

• ECSTATIC has appointed Gamban as its main sponsor — promoted as the first professional esports main sponsorship focused on gambling harm prevention.
• Gamban will create a community Discord hub with anonymous peer groups, expert talks and practical tools to support those wanting to pause or stop gambling.
• The team chose a harm-reduction partner instead of an offshore casino; gambling sponsors reportedly account for around 80% of the top 50 CS2 teams.
• The partnership aims to make help accessible and stigma-free, particularly for younger fans who may feel uncomfortable with traditional support services.
• Part of the deal’s objective is to prove non-gambling sponsors can succeed in esports and to encourage mainstream brands to enter the space.

Why should I read this

Short version: esports is trying to stop being defined by gambling ads. If you follow sponsorship, player welfare or brand strategy in gaming, this is a tidy signal that teams can prioritise harm prevention and still attract meaningful partners. It’s small but potentially influential — and we’ve cut the fluff so you know what changed and why it matters.

Source

Source: https://next.io/news/marketing/gamban-main-sponsor-danish-esports-team/

Article Date: 2025-09-15T12:14:15+00:00
Article Image: https://next.io/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Gamban-ECSTATIC.jpg