FBI investigating CS:GO match fixing, bribes and illegal bets

We’ve known for a while now that several CS:GO teams engaged in match-fixing in an effort to make extra money through bets. Journalists and league officials like the ESEA have investigated these instances, uncovering plenty of proof along the way. Now, the FBI appears to be getting involved too. 

As reported by Kotaku Australia, the FBI is now investigating allegations of match-fixing amongst professional CS:GO teams in North America. The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), which previously worked with Australian police to crack down on match-fixing in that region, is also co-operating with the FBI’s efforts.

This information was revealed in an interview between YouTuber ‘Slash32’ and ESIC commissioner, Ian Smith. During the video, Smith said that “a relatively small but significant group of players over a long period of time, organised match fixing in North American MDL”.

Essentially, players accepted bribes from betting syndicates, ensuring that a lot of money could be won by ensuring the outcome of a match and betting on low odds. We saw a number of players banned from tournaments earlier this year based on match fixing investigations and now, we’re likely to see another wave as the year goes on – there is also the potential for criminal charges to be brought against some of those involved.

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KitGuru Says: With esports being a relatively new industry, it is important that scandals like this are cracked down early to maintain competitive integrity across games. CS:GO already has enough scandals to worry about with cheating allegations amongst top ranks.

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