team behind AlphaDraft sought to combine eSports with daily fantasy sports in 2014 before launching the website in 2015, developing into a large fantasy eSports contest provider.

AlphaDraft made the announcement via an email to customers: “As we continue to evaluate the eSports landscape, we are announcing today that we have made the difficult decision to stop offering fantasy eSports contests on AlphaDraft as of Friday, 21October, at the conclusion of the League of Legends World Championship. You can continue to play contests until this time.”

AlphaDraft was purchased by FanDuel in September 2015 shortly before legal uncertainties plagued the eSports market regarding its future in the US market. Vulcun, the largest competitor, shut down paid fantasy sports in January 2016 and closed completely in July.

The future of fantasy eSports appears to be questionable at best with the two largest specialised eSports companies closing the door and daily fantasy eSports having been trapped by legal and legislative quandaries since October 2015. However, FanDuel rival DraftKings still offers eSports contests and AlphaDraft may return to offering eSports fantasy betting if the landscape becomes more favourable in the future.