Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) doctoral researcher and lecturer Vilius Lapis participated in the international Esports Research Network Conference 2026 in Japan, which brought together esports researchers and experts in law, governance, technology, and industry from around the world. At the conference, V. Lapis presented a draft legal framework for esports currently being developed in Lithuania and discussed the Lithuanian case within a broader European and international context.
His presentation, “Establishing a Legal Framework for Esports Between Sport Law and Hybrid Governance: The Lithuanian Case,” addressed one of the key issues in contemporary esports law: how states should regulate a rapidly professionalising esports ecosystem that does not always fit within traditional models of sports organisation and governance.
V. Lapis outlined the main directions of the proposed Lithuanian legal framework for esports, examining the extent to which traditional principles of sports law can be applied to esports and identifying areas where more flexible, hybrid regulatory solutions are needed. The Lithuanian case was compared with approaches taken in France and Germany, assessing different models of esports recognition, institutionalisation, and legal regulation, as well as their potential applicability within the Lithuanian legal system.
Esports Regulation: Between the State and Private Actors
One of the key aspects of the presentation was the distinctive governance structure of esports. Unlike traditional sports, esports is shaped not only by state institutions, federations, and international sports organisations, but also by private actors, including game publishers, tournament organisers, and digital platforms.
These actors control intellectual property rights, establish competition rules, regulate access to games, and often control the competitive infrastructure itself. As a result, esports regulation lies at the intersection of public regulation, private autonomy, sports law, and the principles of the digital economy.
Presenting the Lithuanian case, V. Lapis emphasised the need for regulatory solutions that balance the flexibility of the esports industry with the protection of the rights of players and other participants, principles of fair competition, and clearly defined institutional responsibilities. This perspective is particularly relevant for countries where dedicated legal regulation of esports is still emerging.
The Lithuanian Experience in the International Debate
The conference provided an opportunity to present the framework being developed in Lithuania to the international esports research community, compare it with approaches adopted in other countries, and receive insights from experts representing different legal and regulatory traditions. Participation in the conference also created opportunities to strengthen academic networks and bring the Lithuanian experience into the broader international debate on the future of esports regulation.
The research presented by V. Lapis forms part of his doctoral research in law at MRU. The study aims to systematically assess the current state of esports regulation in Lithuania, identify existing regulatory gaps, and propose a model that reflects both the specific features of the national legal system and the characteristics of the rapidly evolving international esports industry.
The presentation of the draft Lithuanian legal framework for esports at an international conference contributes to the international visibility of MRU and Lithuanian legal scholarship, while strengthening Lithuania’s participation in discussions within the rapidly developing field at the intersection of sport, technology, and law.
The visit was funded by the Research Council of Lithuania, project No. P-DAK-26-154.
