Ex-Chinese Esports Leader Sentenced to Death

On December 8, Gou Zhongwen, a 68-year-old former minister of the Chinese General Administration of Sport, received a death sentence with a two-year reprieve for accepting bribes and misusing his authority as a government official. This information was reported by a state-run news outlet.

The Supreme People’s Court of the People’s Republic of China found that Gou exploited his roles as vice mayor of Beijing from 2008 to 2013 and as head of the General Administration of Sport from 2016 to 2022, accepting assets and property valued at over ￥236 million RMB (approximately $33.4 million USD).

The term “sentenced to death with a two-year reprieve” indicates that Gou may avoid execution if he demonstrates good behavior during his two-year incarceration, potentially leading to a life sentence instead.

Gou also held significant positions as the president of the Chinese Olympic Committee and the executive chairman of the Operation Committee for the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games and Paralympic Games.

As China’s esports scene has surged in popularity, its affiliation with the General Administration of Sport has become a complex issue. Esports was officially recognized as China’s 99th sport in 2008, but the industry is also influenced by game publishers, which fall under the National Press and Publication Administration (NPPA). This agency, part of the Publicity Department of China, is known for regulating game approvals.

In 2021, the NPPA implemented strict anti-game-addiction regulations, limiting players under 18 to just three hours of gaming per week. This regulation impacted the esports industry, as all registered players must now be over 18, unlike other sports in China, which do not impose such age restrictions. In contrast, esports players in Europe, Russia, and the U.S. face fewer limitations, although legal guardians often need to be involved due to contract laws for minors. Under Gou’s leadership, the General Administration of Sport could have worked to address these challenges.

Additionally, sources within China’s sports sector indicated that Gou was not seen as a supporter or advocate for esports.

The new head of the General Administration of Sport is Gao Zhidan.