Motion NDM7044 as amended:

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales:

1. Recognises the growing impact that the esports industry is having on local economies around the world, such as the 2017 tournaments in Valencia and Cologne which attracted between 15,000 – 40,000 attendees.

2. Notes that the UK Government's Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport are undertaking an inquiry to explore the potential for esports in the UK, among other technology trends.

3. Welcomes the recommendations of the UK Government commissioned Bazalgette Review into the Creative Industries, which outlines recommendations for how the esports sector can underpin the UK’s future economic growth, by:

a) raising the status of esports with government sponsored competitions, national teams, and media coverage; and

b) increasing the UK Government’s investment by an extra £23.7 million over five years to extend the highly successful and innovative UK Games Fund and Transfuzer development programmes.

4. Notes the significant investments made by the Welsh Government and its partners in recent years that has helped establish a thriving Creative Industries sector in Wales.

5. Notes the Welsh Government’s intention to take a cross government approach to grow the esports industry in Wales, acknowledging that the Creative Industries Sector is a driving force for its continued success.

6. Calls on the UK Government to ensure that additional funding for creative industries is made available to Wales and other devolved administrations to exploit new opportunities in the creative economy.