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It is a scandal every bit as high-profile as the worst sports betting scams. The only difference is this one comes from South Korea, and it involves e-sports.
It has been alleged that professional StarCraft players have been involved with match set-ups and illegal betting.
According to a report on gamepron.com, as yet “un-named” gamers intentionally lost matches and leaked team replay files to illegal gambling groups.
The scandal, described as the largest in e-sports history, is said to have begun in 2006 and peaked in 2008. Betting websites contacted players asking them to rig their matches.
From the site: “Apparently, retired pro gamers, a former pro gamer coach, a former match announcer and a pro gaming scene reporter brought out their address books and contact lists to play a large part in the deals being made. Coaching staff and camp directors are also implicated, allegedly taking money for charging player entry fees.”
Apparently officials attempted to compromise with the illegal betting sites, discussing the possibility of co-existing.
In South Korea, StarCraft matches are broadcast on telly and watched by millions. The best players are genuine celebrities, and earn thousands from the pro circuit.
What the scandal means for South Korea’s many pro Starcraft players, including perhaps the most successful e-sportsman ever, Ma Jae-Yoon, aka sAviOr, remains to be seen. However, police are now said to be involved, and teams are engaged in “naming and shaming offending members”.
And the impact on StarCraft developer Blizzard’s popular BlizzCon, due to take place this October, also remains to be seen. The convention normally features high-profile tournaments involving many South Korean players.
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is due out on the PC later this year.
