The Esports Integrity Commission is the leading fair-play organization in esports. We spoke with Ian Smith, the integrity commissioner, about his role in overseeing cheating scandals, such as the coach bug and screen-sniping fiasco in Counter-Strike in 2020.
Betting operators play a crucial role in preventing cheating, especially match-fixing, in esports competitions. To mitigate this issue, operators need to be cautious about the markets they offer, as a large number of markets can tempt lower-tier players to bet against themselves for monetary gain. Additionally, many low-level competitions lack organization and reliable data, further exacerbating the problem. Betting operators should take responsibility by using official data and avoiding unofficial sources like data scrapes or Twitch feeds. It is crucial for operators to monitor markets for suspicious and unusual betting activity and report it to the Esports Integrity Commission or tournament organizers.
Effective communication and engagement with the Esports Integrity Commission are essential. Currently, the commission is the primary authority when it comes to betting integrity in esports. Betting operators should cooperate by reporting any suspicious findings directly to tournament organizers or through the commission’s suspicious and unusual bet alert network. This network includes global betting operators, regulators, data companies, and monitoring services, all working together to exchange information and protect the integrity of esports competitions.
Betting operators have a significant interest in competitive integrity, as their money is at stake when it comes to betting fraud. Similarly, the esports industry, tournament operators, and publishers rely on competitive integrity to maintain their fan base and commercial success. If viewers question the legitimacy of competitions, they may lose interest and support, causing financial consequences for the players and the entire industry. It is vital for all parties involved to prioritize competitive integrity and collaborate closely. Betting operators can contribute by being more cautious about the markets they offer and actively participating in the suspicious betting alert network.
