13/09/2025
We’re proud to announce our sponsorship of ECSTATIC, a Danish esports team co-owned by Oliver “zipeL” Behrensdorff and Jeppe “sneppen” Taggatz Jensen.
For the first time in esports, a professional team has chosen a sponsor dedicated to reducing gambling harm instead of promoting betting. Gamban is ECSTATIC’s new main sponsor, and together we’re building something entirely new: an esports partnership that puts player welfare before gambling profits.
Why this matters
The gambling industry dominates both sport and esports sponsorship. Research shows:
- Two-thirds of clubs across 31 major European leagues carry gambling logos.
- More than 80% of the world’s top 50 CS2 teams are sponsored by betting companies.
These partnerships often promote offshore operators with few or no safeguards. Vulnerable fans - particularly young people - are left exposed without age checks, meaningful self-exclusion, or adequate support.
By rejecting gambling sponsorship, ECSTATIC is making a powerful statement: esports can thrive without exploiting addiction.
What we’re building together
With ECSTATIC, we’ll be launching initiatives that give fans practical support and safe spaces, including:
- Launch a community Discord hub offering anonymous peer groups, expert talks, and practical tools for anyone looking to pause or stop gambling.
- Make help easy and stigma-free, especially for young fans who feel out of place in traditional support groups.
- Prove that non-gambling sponsors can thrive in esports, unlocking this hard-to-reach demographic for mainstream brands, and inspiring other industries to invest in the space.
A personal story at the heart of this
For ECSTATIC’s co-owner Oliver “zipeL” Behrensdorff, the partnership is more than symbolic.
“I’ve had periods of problem gambling myself, and installing Gamban was my first step toward change. We’re not here to high-road anyone. We’re here to offer a lifeline to those who need one.”
At Gamban, this mission is what drives us: giving people a way to block access to online gambling and take the first step toward recovery.
“For ten years, Gamban has helped people around the world block access to gambling and begin rebuilding their lives,” said Matt Zarb-Cousin, co-founder of Gamban. “Partnering with a team that rejects gambling sponsorship entirely is a powerful step forward. We hope this inspires others to invest in esports without exploiting addiction.”
About ECSTATIC
ECSTATIC is a Danish-owned esports organisation competing in CS2. Co-owned by Oliver “zipeL” Behrensdorff and Jeppe “sneppen” Jensen, the team reached the top 12 at the Copenhagen Major 2024 and is currently ranked 33rd in the world.
About Gamban
Gamban is the leading gambling-blocking software, helping individuals block access to online casinos and betting sites across devices. For many, Gamban is the first step toward regaining control over gambling.
Looking ahead
This partnership is just the beginning. Gamban and ECSTATIC want to show that harm-prevention sponsorships are not only possible, but powerful. We hope this inspires other teams, leagues, and brands to reimagine what responsible esports sponsorship can look like.
