When it comes to gambling, whether it’s based on chance or skill, the central principle is uncertainty. The application of odds helps to balance the scales, making it less tempting for punters to bet on the “sure bets” and instead enticing them with higher rewards by betting on the underdog. Trust in this uncertainty is what makes gambling an activity and a business. However, throughout history, trust has been a target for fixers and cheaters, from magicians to card mechanics like Richard Turner.
In the world of gambling, new technologies often face mistrust. This was evident when online casinos were introduced in Asia, as players had doubts about the fairness of software-based card games. Even today, conspiracy theories and superstitions continue to circulate among gambling customers. However, when it comes to esports and gambling, many initial reactions of mistrust have been proven unfounded. Esports games have strict rules and parameters, embedded within the games themselves, leaving little room for manipulation. Unlike traditional sports, where human referees can make subjective decisions, esports games rely on code to make precise and unambiguous calls.
Governing rules in esports, while varying across leagues and competitions, can be regulated and certified by organizations like the Esports Integrity Commission. While there is a possibility of bugs in esports games, these are often quickly detected and rectified due to the large number of games being played and monitored daily. Unfortunately, match fixing can occur in esports, just like in traditional sports. However, through measures like bet monitoring, integrity education, and management, the risk can be mitigated.
Cheating is another challenge that exists in both traditional sports and esports. Players have been known to use performance-enhancing drugs and employ various tricks and tools to gain an unfair advantage. In esports, a team of officials known as admins monitor and catch cheaters. Recent incidents in the game CounterStrike: Global Offensive exposed coaches using glitches to gain an unfair advantage, but thanks to meticulous investigation, these instances were detected and sanctions were imposed. Such incidents should be considered when formulating rules for esports wagers.
While esports is not immune to match fixing and cheating, it is not worse off than traditional sports. As the popularity of esports continues to rise, building trust among players is crucial for the industry’s growth.
