Will teen gaming clampdown deal a knockout to China’s esports?

The attractiveness of a professional gaming career could wane for China’s teens following a government crackdown that restricts anyone under 18 to gaming only three hours a week, or one hour per day at 8pm on Fridays through Sundays.

Shenzhen, China – A steady lunchtime crowd of twentysomethings mill about the Tim Hortons and Tencent Esports Cafe, a newly opened venue to showcase professional video gaming in the heart of Shenzhen’s tech district of Nanshan. Grabbing coffees, doughnuts and sandwiches, a few curious visitors pose for photos with virtual images of pro gamers on a large screen, or watch replays of esports tournaments on another screen from the same padded chairs that gamers often use. China is the largest esports market, with over 400 million fans and viewers, according to the most recent numbers cited by state-run news outlet the People’s Daily. With numbers like that, placing bets on a venue like this seemed like a no-brainer several months ago.