Top esport embroiled in crypto betting scandal
Accusations surrounding match fixing and crypto sports betting have emerged around one of the world’s leading esports.
The Valorant video game was only released relatively recently but has quickly become a leading esport, with many crypto casinos offering betting markets on its top events and tournaments.
But the link between esports and crypto sports betting has proven to be a controversial one. A clutch of Valorant players have spoken out to claim matches are being thrown by some users as a result of money being placed on the outcome of a contest.
According to leading Valorant esport stars such as Yassine ‘Subroza’ Taoufik and Tarik ‘tarik’ Celik, match fixing due to crypto esports betting is becoming a lot more common in the game.
Tarik has even suggested the creation of a new Valorant pro league to avoid the problem. While the player’s idea needs to be fleshed out, other Valorant users indicated that it could help to solve the issue. “I’m not sure if it’s gonna work, but we’re gonna give it a crack and see,” said Tarik, who proposed a “pro 10s / high elo discord” be set up.
One player known as TenZ posted on Twitter regarding Valorant matches being thrown due to money being on the line: “This throwing situation in ranked is actually getting ridiculous.”
A potential solution to the problem of crypto sports betting affecting the outcome of Valorant events has been proposed by NRG’s Pujan ‘FNS’ Mehta. He said: “If there is a crypto bettor on the other team, can we all please agree to throw the game? I want them to lose every cent and be on the street begging me for a sandwich. Thanks.”
Match fixing in traditional sports has long been an issue. Sports betting sites have ways and means to identify when a match could be thrown, but this is trickier when it comes to esports.
League of Legends has long experienced issues with players throwing matches over betting. Indeed, towards the end of last year Chinese players were barred from playing on Korean servers due to links with suspicious betting activities being identified on the game.
The rise of crypto sports betting – with many crypto casinos now also running a sportsbook on the site – has provided extra opportunities to throw games and cheat the system as a result.
What is for sure is that the crypto gambling industry needs to keep a close eye on match fixing.
