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eSports Conference: Match Fixing Arrests in Australia Lead to Discussion on Betting Integrity

CDC Gaming Reports

The Casino eSports Conference kicked off Wednesday on the Las Vegas Strip and betting integrity was at its forefront in the wake of a match-fixing scandal in Australia.

Less than two weeks ago, Australian police arrested six people alleged to have lost matches on purpose during the online game Counter-Strike: Global Offensive. The men, who are accused of placing bets on their own matches, face up to 10 years in prison.

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“These events, when they are out there, bring a lot of notoriety and a bit of tarnish on a burgeoning industry,” said Dennis Ehling, a partner with Blank Rome, who moderated the conference’s kick-off panel discussing eSports betting integrity. The talked centered on match fixing, doping and software cheating.

Ehling said there is a reason why New Jersey won’t allow betting on eSports at an event if someone is under 18.

“They’re not convinced the integrity components are in place,” Ehling said. “As the casino industry is looking to embrace eSports, they need to recognize that getting the regulators comfortable is going to be the key to being able to grow.”

"eSports Conference: Match Fixing Arrests in Australia Lead to Discussion on Betting Integrity," by Buck Wargo was published in CDC Gaming Reports on September 5, 2019.