TWO Mt Eliza men have been arrested and interviewed as part of an investigation into “suspicious betting activity” in an esports league, 23 August.
Police allege video game players were “arranging to throw matches and subsequently placing bets on those matches”. The matches were part of a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive tournament, a popular multiplayer first-person shooter video game. The Mt Eliza men were among six people arrested as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police believe five matches were affected, with more than 20 bets placed on those matches by Australian punters.
Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit detectives also arrested two 20-year-old Mill Park men, a 22-year-old Mill Park man, and a 19-year-old South Morang man as part of their investigation. All six men were later released pending further enquiries.
“This investigation involving the esports industry was one of the first of its kind by Victoria Police,” Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson said.
“Esports is really an emerging sporting industry and with that will come the demand for betting availability on the outcomes of tournaments and matches. It’s important that police and other agencies within the law enforcement, gaming and betting industries continue to work together to target any suspicious activity.”
The alleged offences carry a maximum prison sentence of up to 10 years.
Information to Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.
First published in the Mornington News – 27 August 2019
