Singapore Gambling Law Bars BC.Game Name at PGL Major, CEO Confirms

BC.Game will not play under its own name at the PGL Major Singapore, the team's chief executive confirmed on X on Friday, November 6. "Yes we are not allowed to use our logo and name due to regulations in Singapore, it's not Valve," Ali "Ako" Muhanned wrote. He said he had known about the restriction for a long time, and that an alternative name was already submitted and waiting for approval.

The confirmation followed a report on Thursday, November 5, by the Russian Telegram channel Esports Base, which said four teams would have to play the Major under different names: BC.Game, BetBoom Team, 1win and PARIVISION. Under the reported rule, any logo, sticker or team name that points to a gambling, casino or bookmaker brand is barred unless the brand holds a valid Singapore licence. The four organisations were reportedly given about 24 hours to propose neutral alternatives, with names to be settled around November 6 to 7 and tournament item submissions due by November 9. Neither PGL nor Valve has commented in public. BetBoom, 1win and PARIVISION have not said which names they will use. BetBoom general director Artyom Savelyev did write on Telegram that "BoomBoys will not play at the Major in Singapore," ruling out the name his club used at Dota 2's biggest event this year.

The law

The rules come from Singapore's Gambling Control Act 2022, enforced by the Gambling Regulatory Authority. Section 85 makes it an offence to advertise unlawful gambling, and it treats sponsorship and brand sharing deals as advertising when a name is displayed at an event and gambling is the main activity under that name. A conviction carries a fine of up to S$20,000, and the offence is one of strict liability, so prosecutors do not need to prove intent. Under section 87, ignoring a removal order can lead to a fine of up to S$50,000, two years in prison, or both.

Singapore has made room for gambling sponsors before, but only through a formal exemption. In October 2025, the Ministry of Home Affairs issued an exemption order for the Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix, running to the end of 2028, which lets such sponsors use their names and logos there. The order names only the Grand Prix, so it offers nothing to the Major teams.

A repeat rebrand

For three of the four teams, playing under another name at a Valve event is nothing new. At The International 2026 in Shanghai in August, BetBoom Team played as BoomBoys, PARIVISION as Team Vision and 1win as Iron Wing. Team Vision reached the grand final, where it lost 3-2 to Team Spirit. PARIVISION, 1win and BC.Game are all named for gambling brands.

The cost

Major stickers are one of the biggest ways a team earns money from the event, so any new name or logo has to be settled within days, before the sticker capsules go on sale. A neutral brand could also make a team harder for fans to recognise. The rosters are not affected, and each team keeps its Valve Regional Standings place.

The Major runs from November 24 to December 13, with $1.25 million in prizes and 32 teams. BC.Game, led by s1mple, and PARIVISION start in Stage 1 on November 24, 1win enters in Stage 2 on November 28, and BetBoom starts in Stage 3 on December 2. The playoffs follow at the Singapore Indoor Stadium from December 10 to 13.