ESIC Issues Bans in ATOX Match-Fixing Probe

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has imposed lifetime bans on two members of Mongolian Counter-Strike 2 team ATOX Esports following an investigation into match-fixing linked to organized betting syndicates. The probe, initiated in late 2024, uncovered over 70 suspicious bets placed between December 2024 and March 2025, involving accounts tied to China-based criminal networks. This development underscores ongoing efforts to safeguard competitive integrity in global esports betting markets, where unregulated wagering poses significant risks to fair play.

ESIC's findings highlight a coordinated scheme that compromised multiple matches, including ATOX's ESL Pro League Season 20 clash against Team Falcons. The bans target players who allegedly manipulated in-game tactics to align with corrupt betting outcomes, eroding trust in the Counter-Strike ecosystem.

• Strengthened Enforcement Mechanisms: ESIC's use of its Suspicious Betting Alert Network (SBAN) enabled real-time detection, demonstrating the value of collaborative intelligence sharing among operators and regulators in regions such as Europe, Asia, and Latin America.
• Implications for Operators: Betting platforms must enhance monitoring of high-risk accounts, as the probe revealed overlaps in device IDs, IP addresses, and payment methods used by team personnel, potentially affecting odds integrity and liability.
• Bettor Awareness: Punitive actions like these deter fraud but emphasize the need for bettors to prioritize licensed operators in regulated markets such as the UK, Australia, and Brazil to avoid exposure to manipulated events.

The investigation began after irregularities surfaced in ATOX's performance during ESL Pro League Season 20, prompting ESIC to alert its global network of partners. Evidence showed that team members, including players and management, had placed or facilitated bets on their own matches, using both domestic and offshore accounts. This "entrenched practice," as described by ESIC, extended across ATOX's competitive schedule, with specific instances of misleading tactics designed to ensure predetermined results.

In its public report, ESIC detailed how the scheme involved organized crime groups, with betting syndicates exploiting the growing popularity of esports in Asia and Europe. The Mongolian team, which qualified for PGL events before disqualification on March 6, 2025, saw its coach, Tuguldur “fly NN” Gansuk, receive a three-year ban for failing to intervene despite awareness of the corruption. Four other individuals face fixed-term suspensions, reinforcing ESIC's zero-tolerance stance.

This case arrives amid rising esports betting volumes in non-US markets, where the sector reached $130.7 million in Latin America alone in 2024, projected to grow 7.4% annually through 2029. For operators in the EU, UK, and Australia, it signals heightened scrutiny from bodies such as the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, which collaborate with ESIC on data sharing. Regulators may now push for stricter licensing conditions, including mandatory integrity audits for esports-focused products.

The broader impact extends to tournament organizers such as ESL and PGL, who must integrate advanced risk management tools to prevent similar breaches. Bettors in emerging markets like Brazil benefit from such vigilance, as it curtails black market activity—estimated at 70% of global sports bets—and promotes safer wagering environments. ESIC's actions also bolster partnerships with law enforcement, including Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit, enabling swift responses to cross-border threats.

Ultimately, this probe reinforces the esports betting industry's commitment to transparency, urging stakeholders to invest in education and technology to enhance the industry's credibility. As global markets expand, maintaining integrity remains paramount to sustaining growth and fan engagement.

Sources: ESIC.gg, Esports Insider.com