iGB_ESPORTSTRENDS_MARCH22 | Page 12

As esports emerges as a betting sport , it ’ s essential that a proper framework is in place to ensure events are free from corruption

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Esports trends in 2022 and beyond Esports integrity a key focus

ESPORTS INTEGRITY A KEY FOCUS

As esports emerges as a betting sport , it ’ s essential that a proper framework is in place to ensure events are free from corruption
LIKE ANY traditional sport , esports requires a robust system that ensures the integrity of its tournaments and matches . However , the nascent nature of the industry , paired with the sheer diversity of match and tournament rules , esports titles and game types means there is currently little coordination in the regulation of organised tournaments .
Two of the biggest threats to esports integrity today are match-fixing and doping . Other threats to integrity come from software and hardware exploitation ( cheating ), exploitation of in-game bugs and glitches , server attacks and abuse or other disreputable behaviour .
In 2019 , Ryan P . Toomey , then an associate attorney at Moaddel Law Firm in Los Angeles , California , published an article in the Gaming Law Review , which aimed to understand the importance of upholding integrity in esports in order to successfully legitimise esports wagering .
“ Casinos and sportsbooks are two major players looking to capitalise on esports and esports betting ,” he wrote . “ However , before these businesses will dive in head first , several issues must be addressed to legitimise the industry for investors and consumers alike .
“ Video game industry leaders must tackle internal problems before sportsbooks and casinos will buy into the hype . Perhaps the most significant issue regarding esports is the lack of a universal regulatory body . Presently , there is little to no regulation of organised tournament play in the esports sphere .
“ With individual publishers controlling the intellectual property of their respective games and platforms , opportunists , such as match fixers ,
Esports trends in 2022 and beyond