A 29-year-old man who collapsed and died after gaming through the night at a Chinese e-sports venue has sparked public debate over health risks, personal responsibility, and the duty of care owed by gaming halls.
The incident took place in February 2025 in Dayao County, Yunnan Province. The man, surnamed Jin, spent the night playing "League of Legends" with a friend at a local e-sports center. After his companion left due to exhaustion at dawn, Jin remained at the venue. He later collapsed near the restroom and was pronounced dead despite emergency efforts by staff and medical workers.
A forensic examination confirmed that Jin died from sudden cardiac death caused by an acute coronary heart disease attack. Court documents revealed he had underlying conditions, including hypertension and fatty liver disease.
Jin’s family filed a lawsuit seeking more than 1.57 million yuan (HK$1.85 million) in compensation, accusing the e-sports venue of failing to protect customers’ safety. However, the court ruled that Jin bore primary responsibility, noting that both staying up all night and prolonged gaming are widely recognized health risks, particularly for those with pre-existing medical conditions.
Still, the venue was found partially at fault for operating overnight in violation of internet café regulations and for failing to properly remind customers of health risks or promptly identify Jin’s medical emergency. The court ordered the venue to compensate 20 percent of the losses, amounting to 315,000 yuan (HK$372,000), with the owner held jointly liable.
Both parties appealed, but the appellate court upheld the original ruling.
