The independent eSports Integrity Coalition is making a bid to become the watchdog and disciplinarian for the large number of eSports leagues around the world by offering a set of rules and a disciplinary rule board.
Towards that end, the coalition recently released results of an industry wide survey on how to punish players that cheat or league’s that run corrupt games.
“eSports is primarily about the community around each game—the players, fans and teams that participate and watch—and it was entirely appropriate for us to consult those communities about how its cheats and frauds should be punished,” said Ian Smith, integrity C=commissioner for the eSports Integrity Coalition. “Following the conclusion of the survey, I am very thankful to the community for their enthusiastic participation; particularly the CS:GO community, who responded in the thousands.”
The coalition had previously issued a position paper saying that the eSports industry needs a consistent, fair and proportionate approach to how it deals with cheating, both to win and to lose (match-fixing), the release said.
Among the coalitions finding from the survey were:
Many respondents felt “lifetime” bans of players in eSports leagues were too harsh. The coalition recommends that current lifetime bans be lifted as rules surrounding eSports were not clear and had not been publicized.
The coalition expressed concern that match-fixing in eSports contests is not being significantly addressed. The survey found that the eSports industry is not focused on the dangers of betting fraud and match manipulation. The coalition feels match-fixing offences should attract at least the same level of punishment as cheating offences based on the experiences of traditional sports, especially as gambling on eSports continues to expand.
The coalition recommends leagues adopt the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code which sets out clear rules about betting and corruption. It’s ESIC Disciplinary Procedures also set out fair and independent procedures for dealing with alleged offences and allows players the right to defend themselves against cheating charges.
Sets out penalties for various offenses with most first-time offences carrying a five-year ban with harsher—and possibly lifetime bands—for subsequent offense.
The coalition says it aims to be the recognized guardian of the sporting integrity of eSports and to take responsibility for disruption, prevention, investigation and prosecution of all forms of cheating, including, but not limited to, match manipulation and doping.
The survey results come as Las Vegas has begun to embrace eSports competitions. The city already hosts one eSports arena and a larger one in being planned by MGM Resorts. That has led to concerns over properly regulating bets on eSports competitions, including side bets among players and spectators.
“Generally speaking, it is not illegal to wager socially, unless somebody is taking a cut,” AG Burnett, chairman of the Nevada Gaming Control Board recently told the Las Vegas Review-Journal.
Burnett said the board plans to hold discussions between casinos and tournament organizers to clarify betting regulations in the state for eSports contests.
“If anything inappropriate is going on, then we will certainly delve into that very deeply,” he told the paper.
