Match fixing in eSports - 4 of the most ruthless cases of match fixing

Match fixing has been part of the sports world for decades, but esports has also been affected. The growth of big prize money and the eSports betting market has increased the temptation to deliberately alter results. In this article, we look at match fixing in eSports and present four of the most famous cases of match fixing in eSports.

What is eSports match fixing?

Match fixing is when players or teams deliberately change the course of the game for profit. Match manipulation can include deliberately losing a match, fixing a particular game event (for example, losing the first round) or leaking information to an opponent or followers.

The main reason for match-fixing is eSports betting, but sometimes it can be motivated by money laundering or organised crime. Match-fixing is used for financial gain, although it may also be used to settle internal team disputes (e.g. if there are problems within the organisation or pay disputes).

The most famous cases of match fixing in eSports

1. StarCraft "Match-Fixing Scandal" (2010, South Korea)

In South Korea, eSports is hugely popular and the country has long been a centre for esports. The e-sports world was rocked in 2010 when StarCraft was hit by a scandal when several professional players were caught systematically match-fixing. Players accepted bribes from bookmakers and deliberately lost matches to ensure that the results were favourable to the bookmakers.

As a result of the manipulation, StarCraft's reputation in e-sports suffered enormously and several professionals were banned for life. Some players were also taken to court and received fines and even prison sentences.

2. CS:GO - iBUYPOWER scandal (2014, North America)

In the history of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, the iBUYPOWER team was one of the most ruthless result manipulation cases. The team deliberately lost a match against NetCodeGuides.com, which allowed bettors to win large amounts of money.

Immediately after the match, suspicions of manipulation were aired, but were dismissed as just gossip until more evidence of manipulation began to emerge. Leaked messages and a large number of unusually large bets and skin trades in the names of iBP team members confirmed the suspicions and the team was caught in the manipulation. As a result, several iBUYPOER players were banned for life from playing in Valve tournaments. The scandal also sparked a debate about the overall impact of betting on e-sports.

3. Dota 2 - 322 scandal (2013, Russia)

The term "322" refers to match-fixing in e-sports and stems from Dota 2 player Alexey "Solo" Berezin. The player placed a bet against his own team and deliberately lost the match. The payout was $322, which is where the term originated. As a result of his actions, Berezin was banned from the game for a year, but he later resumed his career in eSports. "322" remained a permanent meme term in the eSports community.

League of Legends - LMQ & Team Dragon (2013, China).

The Chinese League of Legends scene was hit by a major match-fixing scandal in 2013, with LMQ and Team Dragon players suspected of being involved in betting fraud. There was insufficient conclusive evidence to confirm the players' involvement in match-fixing, but several competitors were nevertheless banned for several years. As a result of the scam, Riot Games tightened the rules to prevent match-fixing.

How are the eSports community and game organisers fighting match fixing?

Match fixing is now taken seriously by eSports organisations and game organisers as it is seen as a threat to the values and integrity of eSports. In addition, it can be perceived as a threat to the functioning of eSports clubs. Most manipulation takes place in smaller or lower level events, as the risk of being caught is lower. Measures to reduce match-fixing include:

• Stricter bans: many leagues and tournaments impose lifetime bans on those caught match-fixing.
• Tightening rules and controls: match organisers will work with bookmakers to detect unusual betting events.
• Raising awareness: educating players about the dangers and consequences of match-fixing.