The counter-strike community faces yet another scandal. Just weeks after 37 CS:GO coaches were banned for abusing the Spectator bug several players have been banned in another cheating scandal.
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has released an initial report in which seven players have been issued a 12-month ban for their involvement in betting offenses.
https://twitter.com/ESIC_Official/status/1319563992650534912
The list released by ESIC included seven Australian MDL players, the majority of players from Team Rooster and Rooster 2. The other two are from Ground Zero Gaming and Lakers.
The report confirms that some of the players placed bets on the matches that they were participating in themselves.
“Some of these individuals engaged in a betting activity related to matches they were playing in themselves. Further to this, ESIC has identified that several associates of the Offending Parties also participated in betting activities related to the matches being played by the Offending Parties.” ESIC’s report revealed.
The seven players have been slapped with a year-long ban, prohibiting them from playing CSGO tournaments backed by ESIC. While the players can’t compete in ESL, DreamHack, WePlay!, BLAST, NODWIN Gaming, LVP, Eden Esports,
The ESIC has also “referred this matter to law enforcement,” as the players’ conduct may have violated criminal codes in certain jurisdictions across Australia.
The Commission says the investigations are “complex,” requiring “necessary collaboration with law enforcement” in specific jurisdictions. They will release updates on other investigations “in due course as [they] work with stakeholders to finalize [their] investigations.”
The ESIC advised players and organizations to refrain from betting activities and to honor the integrity in esports.