Esports Integrity Coalition Launched
The eSports Integrity Coalition (ESIC) has been officially launched, aiming to bring integrity to professional eSports, particularly with the threat presented by the rise in betting fraud in the market.
ESIC will focus on protecting the industry from external manipulation, which includes match fixing and grey market gambling sites, internal corruption and anti-doping procedures.
The new industry body will be headed by commissioner Ian Smith and was created with a programme for acceptance and implementation by professional eSports stakeholders – primarily tournament organisers and platforms, games publishers and licenced and regulated bookmakers offering eSports betting markets – that consists of a participant code of conduct, an anti-corruption code, an anti-doping policy and an independent disciplinary procedure.
ESIC will now focus on finalising membership agreements with stakeholders with whom it is currently in negotiation, recruitment of additional members from across the eSports ecosystem and the implementation of the ESIC programme.
New eSports integrity commissioner Ian Smith said, “It has been eye-opening and a privilege to work in eSports these past nine months and to have gained sufficient trust within the industry to be appointed the first integrity commissioner. I have spent the last 20 years working across a range of sports, involved heavily in the protection of their integrity, so I am looking forward to applying all those insights and experience to the eSports ecosystem. There are many challenges ahead, but it is to eSports’ credit that the industry is taking these steps in anticipation of a foreseeable problem, rather than in reaction to a crisis, which is the route taken by most traditional sports to date.”
“Integrity is paramount at ESL. We were the first eSports organiser to introduce doping control at events and have since then made awareness of the issue a priority within the industry,” said Anna Rozwandowicz, director of communications at ESL and board member at ESIC. “ESL is proud to be a part of ESIC are looking forward to developing and evolving the initiative further with industry partners and influencers. This is a big day for eSports and we couldn’t be happier.”
Betway’s Anthony Werkman added: “We are fiercely passionate about eSports and are delighted to be one of the founding members of ESIC that will serve and protect the sport we care deeply for. We’ve made significant investments in our eSports team over the past few years and are delighted to see the sport getting the recognition it deserves from the wider public. The integrity of eSports is paramount to its continued success, and we’re certain that the creation of the ESIC will ensure the sport enjoys further success in the years to come.”
eSports will be discussed at the next Sport Industry Breakfast Club, supported by MP & Silva, on 7th September. On stage will be Wouter Sleijffers, CEO, Fnatic; Chester King, CEO, International eGames Group; and Hannes Kranich, eSports specialist, DraftKings, who will discuss, disect and debate the eSport space.
