Dota 2 Match-Fixing scandal – Big money, huge network

Russian YouTuber and journalist Morf dropped a video final week outlining a probably large match-fixing scene contained in the Dota 2 ecosystem.

The video outlines potential match–repairing in the Dota Pro Circuit throughout each the NA and EEU areas. In truth, this cross-region scandal apparently includes so many events and gamers behind-the-scenes, it actually wouldn’t be ultimate to even take into account all of it being true.

At the middle of this scandal is Anton Monetin, a reasonably unknown and underwhelming academy staff coach from the CIS scene.

Scheme arrange and all individuals probably concerned

Morf‘s ‘agent‘ allegedly turned a part of a shady ring known as the “322 Mafia”. It began in a Discord server referred to as “The Purple E-book“, which later moved into non-public Telegram messages.

In response to Morf’s ‘agent’, he assisted Anton, the ex-Winstrike Academy coach, in working errands. As a wagertor, the agent receives betting cash and insider data from Anton, who requests the winnings again whereas allowing the bettor to wager at a 50% lower on their earnings. Contemplating Anton’s typical wager quantity on a single match raked anyplace between $1000 and $20,000, there may very well be some fairly huge cash being distributed throughout a number of events, together with the gamers.

Sadly, Anton confirmed in a stay stream that the 322 Mafia scandal and accusations in opposition to him are largely true. Aside from the declare that he arrange a girl for Albert “alberkaaa” Chernoivanov. Moreover, he rebutted that the ‘agent’ failed to reveal something greater than a mere private dialog with him over an argument.

Whereas Anton Monetin is on the middle of the story, he’s solely thought-about an errand boy on this whole scheme.

Full video under. English subtitles can be found in closed captions:

Rival match-fixing gangs & cross-region “collaboration”

The agent‘s first wager was on the EEU DPC 2023 Tour 1 Open Qualifier match between HOTU and Beatifull, which went as predicted.

Oddly sufficient, the second wager didn‘t go as deliberate, with the Morg claiming that there was a conflicting wager between Anton’s group and another rival match-fixing group, which had brought on the loss.

In different phrases, there are unhealthy actors in each groups attempting their finest to throw the sport.

He then predicted one other match, NOSTRVM vs OkZ Group, for a wager of over 1.6 million in unspecified forex. With a few extra of these workout routines below their belt, the agent was ready to wager on larger–tier matches within the Division 1 DPC 2023 bracket. One such wager was Daybreak Gaming vs Invictus Gaming in DPC 2023 China Tour 2, which resulted in Daybreak Gaming‘s subsequent ban from Valve for match–repairing.

What significantly amplifies the severity of this story is that they’re involving events throughout different areas too. Some 46 Chinese Dota 2 players and groups acquired bans for match-fixing earlier this 12 months, however the problem appears to be additionally deeply rooted in North America too.

Two video games within the DPC Division 1 bracket had been talked about. The match between Storeify Riot vs Thiuth Gaming and TSM vs Wildcard Gaming. Allegedly, the belowcanine in these matches (Thiuth Gaming and Wildcard Gaming) manipulated the outcomes and whole scores of the video games for the goal of betting. Therefore, even in such one-sided match-ups, the place the underdogs have extraordinarily low odds of successful, there are particular betting markets to capitalize on the unhealthy actors. Say, the kill rating must be 3 times greater than the dropping staff.

Morf expressed uncertainty relating to which gamers had been conscious of the match–repairing scheme.

The core takeaway right here is just not the accuracy of match-fixers, however the sheer quantity of doubtless competing rival match-fixing teams throughout the ecosystem.

Morf, the Russian YouTuber, behind the revealed “322 KINGS: Greatest match-fixing investigation in Russia’s eSports historical past” Video

Events uncovered and partial response

With that many name-callings, it got here as no shock that the talked about gamers/groups have launched their statements on the accusation.

An rebellion staff, HYDRA launched their participant, Anatoly “Lefitan” Krupnov after he was accused of dishonest and 322.

Lefitan himself partially confessed on the matter:

“All of it went too far, and I made a decision to share it because it was. I by no means labored immediately with Anton Monetin, and Morf’s data is wrong. However I did wager on the victory, totals, and first blood on our staff’s video games at a D2CL occasion and Neon League. In the mean time, I used to be in want of cash to stay, and it appeared to me that it was nothing unhealthy to wager on victory.

I positioned bets utilizing a intermediary, who later gave the impression to be Monetin’s acquaintance. No one on our staff or administration knew about this. I used to be in an uneasy scenario and noticed no exit. I didn’t wish to damage anybody. Now, I’m deeply ashamed of damaging the fame of the gamers and the membership. I’d wish to make an apology to my teammates. It was enjoyable with you on the bootcamp, too unhealthy it ended like this.”

Paragon Occasions, the organizer for the Dota Professional Circuit in Jap Europe, gave an announcement concerning the Hydra scenario. The organizers acknowledged that they’re conscious of the developments, however can’t move any judgment, or disqualify a staff of their very own volition. They’ve notified Valve and are ready for them to swing the ban hammer.

Anatoly “Lefitan” Krupnov

Different individuals concerned, primarily rebutted the accusations:

• Vladislav “Kozak” Lazurenko, the previous OG analyst, rebutted claims that he was attributed with the 322 Mafia. As a substitute, he was merely screenshotted in a chat dialog with Anton with out precise proof of betting involvement.
• Albert “Alberkaaa” Chernoivanov and cybercats refuted the accusations however confirmed there was contact between all events concerned and affords being made. Escorenews revealed an excellent breakdown of their exchange.

Key takeaway on the “322 Mafia” scenario

If there’s one factor that connects each area’s match-fixing scenario talked about as we speak, it’s the unsustainable Dota 2 Esports profession for many gamers. Whereas high-profile gamers and powerhouses would stray away from match-fixing, gamers and groups within the low-tier bracket are doubtless struggling to outlive financially with simply DPC prize pool winnings.

Moreover, these 322 Mafia doesn’t want to purchase out all 5 gamers to throw a match or do their bidding as 1-2 gamers are sometimes sufficient to damage a match.

Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev, who watched Morf’s investigation video, shared that match-fixing is quite common in EEU:

On the click on of a finger, match-fixers can ask gamers to throw a recreation.

We’ve talked about prize fund distribution in Dota 2 previously. Valve’s prime heavy strategy does make every thing under TI participant tier profitable for manipulation. Hopefully, this stir within the hornet’s nest results in many modifications.

As soon as Valve makes its verdict on the groups and gamers to ban from this investigation, the opposite dialogue must be on the best way to make their DPC circuit extra viable for rising gamers and groups.