The European Leisure Software Publishers Association was founded in 1989 to establish a specific and collective identity for the computer and videogame industry. Since then, the membership has steadily grown from 12 to over 100, to include all companies concerned with the publishing and distribution of interactive leisure and entertainment software.

The strength of ELSPA has been proven to lie in its ability to communicate information of value to its members and provide clear guidance, influence and activity in addressing important issues which affect their own businesses and the industry as a whole. ELSPA, importantly, have done a great deal towards keeping the videogame industry operating on a self-regulatory basis, with the introduction of recommended age ratings on software packaging.

Another important area of ELSPA's work is in anti-piracy. ELSPA employ full-time inspectors who travel the length and breadth of the UK, identifying game pirates and then working with local police forces to bring prosecutions against them.