ESIC Suspends CS2 Team SENZA Over Integrity Probe

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has imposed an interim suspension on Counter-Strike 2 team SENZA, including all players, coaches, and staff, amid allegations of betting-related misconduct. This action, targeting the lower-tier squad formerly known as Rosy, underscores ESIC's aggressive stance on anti-corruption in global esports betting markets. It highlights the ongoing vulnerability of CS2 to match-fixing risks, where unregulated wagering can undermine competitive fairness in regions like EMEA and Asia.

Key Takeaways

• Suspension applies immediately to all ESIC member events and adopting tournaments, halting SENZA's participation in circuits like the Champion of Champions Tour (CCT).
• Investigation focuses on breaches of ESIC's anti-corruption code, potentially leading to permanent bans if misconduct is confirmed.
• This statement reinforces the need for operators to integrate ESIC protocols, enhancing data sharing to detect suspicious betting patterns early.

The Esports Integrity Commission has acted decisively against potential threats to CS2's betting ecosystem by suspending SENZA, a move that reflects heightened scrutiny on lower-tier competitions where integrity breaches often originate. Announced on October 10, 2025, the interim ban prohibits the entire organization from competing in any ESIC-affiliated or compliant events, a standard response to preserve investigative neutrality. ESIC stated it "will make no further comment at this stage to preserve the integrity of the ongoing investigation," emphasizing the probe's sensitivity.

This development arrives amid a surge in CS2 betting volumes across global markets, with EMEA and Asia-Pacific leading growth at over 40% year-over-year, per industry data from providers like Sportradar. CS2's popularity—boasting 1.5 million peak concurrent viewers during recent majors—has made it a prime target for manipulators, who exploit lower-stakes matches for profit. SENZA's case stems from internal probes into former player Kirsan ‘byek’ Ivanov for account sharing, which resulted in a $30,000 fine and a roster overhaul in September. Despite the changes, ESIC extended scrutiny to the new lineup, citing broader code violations.

For operators in regulated hubs like the UK and Malta, this suspension serves as a wake-up call. Licensed platforms must now prioritize ESIC's Tier 1 partnerships, which facilitate real-time anomaly detection through shared betting data. In 2024, ESIC investigated over 50 cases globally, banning more than 20 individuals, yet incidents persist in EMEA's fragmented lower tiers. By sidelining SENZA, ESIC not only deters similar acts but also pressures tournament organizers like CCT to rescind invitations promptly, as confirmed in their October 10 statement.

Bettors benefit indirectly: cleaner markets reduce exposure to tainted odds, fostering trust in high-volume titles. Regulators in Brazil and Australia, where CS2 wagering hit €300 million last year, can leverage this for stricter compliance mandates. However, challenges remain—unregulated Asian platforms still handle 60% of global CS2 bets, per ESIC estimates, complicating enforcement.

This probe aligns with ESIC's broader 2025 agenda, including recent Tier 1 pacts with data firms like BETBY, which bolster monitoring via AI-driven alerts. As esports betting eclipses €2.5 billion annually outside North America, such interventions are crucial. They not only safeguard prize pools—totaling $20 million for CS2 events this year—but also attract ethical sponsors wary of scandal. For the industry, SENZA's fate could catalyze unified data protocols, ensuring CS2's growth without compromising its core: fair play.

Sources: Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), Dot Esports