Amidst the meteoric rise of esports, the parallel growth of the betting industry has been a double-edged sword, leading to concerns around age verification and match-fixing that need urgent attention to ensure fair play and participant safety.
In an increasingly connected and digital world, a new type of competitive play is taking the spotlight. Known as esports, or electronic sports, it’s an industry that has quickly gained traction worldwide for its compelling fusion of technology and entertainment. However, on its course to mainstream popularity, esports has traversed a somewhat contentious domain – betting. Recently, concern has risen regarding age verification and potential match-fixing in the world of esports betting, bringing increased scrutiny to this burgeoning sector.
From teenagers battling it out in the immensely popular multiplayer online battle arena game, League of Legends, to high-stakes competitions with millions of dollars at stake in games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Dota 2, esports has transformed from a niche hobby to a professional sport on a global scale. With this meteoric rise in popularity, inevitably comes an audience eager to predict outcomes and place bets.
Esports betting has ballooned into a multi-million-dollar industry in its own right. Companies such as Betway, Unikrn and Pinnacle, have dedicated esports betting platforms. On a typical day, fans can bet on everything from the outcome of a single match to the total score of a tournament.
However, the rapid progression of esports and the betting industry it has nurtured have attracted the watchful eyes of regulators worldwide. Two main issues have emerged as focal points of concern: age verification and match-fixing. Both issues bring to light the challenges that this digital age sport must face to ensure fair play and protection for its participants and fans.
The growth of esports among young audiences raises issues around age verification on betting platforms. According to a study by the UK Gambling Commission, around 11% of 11-16 year olds had placed a bet with in-game items, which can have real-world value. These items, known as ‘skins’, can actually serve as a virtual currency in esports betting. This creates a hole in legal frameworks as age verification laws only protect traditional forms of currency, leaving underage esports fans potentially vulnerable to gambling.
Another problem the rapidly growing esports industry must tackle is match-fixing. Esports are especially susceptible to this archaic form of cheating due to the lack of regulatory oversight. The large sums of money involved can be a tempting proposition for players, especially as salaries remain inconsistent across the esports spectrum. Numerous games, including StarCraft II and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, have had controversies over match-fixing scandals in recent years.
Companies like Sportradar and Genius Sports are attempting to combat this issue by providing betting integrity services to esports organizations. These companies track betting patterns to identify potential match-fixing activity, but their efficacy is yet to be firmly proven in the still developing esports sphere.
The intersection between esports and betting is a rapidly evolving landscape. With the increasing popularity of esports betting, there’s a clear need for the industry to address these concerns. The protection of minors and the integrity of the competitions are at stake. Sporting authorities, governments, and esports organizations must work together to ensure that the thrill and joy of competitions aren’t soured by underhand tactics or uncontrolled gambling.
While there’s a lot of work to be done, the attention these issues are getting is a positive step. With proper regulation and oversight, it’s possible that esports betting can transition from a controversial pastime to an integral part of this modern and thrilling sport. The profitable world of esports betting isn’t going away anytime soon, but for it to be sustainable and, more importantly, fair, the worries around age verification and match-fixing need to be addressed.
References:
1. UK Gambling Commission: Young People & Gambling 2020 report: https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/PDF/survey-data/Young-People-and-Gambling-2020-Report.pdf
2. “Esports integrity not fully guaranteed, a growing concern” – Sportradar: https://www.sportradar.com/news-archive/esports-integrity-not-fully-guaranteed-a-growing-concern/
3. “Match-fixing – esports’ ultimate enemy” – Reuters: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-esports-integrity-sb/match-fixing-esports-ultimate-enemy-idUSKBN1XE1CB
4. Statista Esports market report 2020: https://www.statista.com/study/44437/esports-market-report/
5. “Esports betting set to double in 2020 despite pandemic” – Gambling Insider: https://www.gamblinginsider.com/news/9556/esports-betting-set-to-double-in-2020-despite-pandemic
6. “Match fixing in esports: A serious threat often ignored” – University of Washington: https://www.uwindsor.ca/law/ipgaming/2018/match-fixing-in-esports-a-serious-threat-often-ignored
7. “The skin gambling situations in the UK and beyond” – BBC: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-35990111.
8. “Discover the current situation of sports betting fraud worldwide” – Sportradar: https://sportradar.com/about-us/facts-and-stats/
