Esports Integrity in Question: 34 Matches Flagged for Suspicious Betting Activity Last Year

Sportradar’s 2025 “Integrity in Action” report reveals 34 eSports matches flagged for suspicious betting activity out of 102,000 monitored — highlighting ongoing integrity challenges and the importance of robust monitoring systems in eSports.

Global sports data firm Sportradar has released its annual “Integrity in Action” report, showing that integrity monitoring efforts flagged 34 suspicious eSports matches in 2025 out of more than 102,000 events reviewed — a detection rate of roughly 0.03%.

While this number represents a decrease from 41 flagged matches in 2024 and remains one of the lowest rates across all sports categories, it highlights that deliberate manipulation and questionable betting patterns still persist in competitive gaming.

Match-Fixing Trends & Betting Alerts

Sportradar’s detection technology identifies irregular betting behavior, such as unusually large wagers or coordinated bets across multiple platforms, that could signal match-fixing or outcome tampering. These patterns trigger alerts for deeper investigation by tournament organizers.

Despite the overall low rate of suspicious matches in eSports compared to traditional sports such as football (0.31%) and basketball (0.29%), eSports still ranked third in total sanctions issued in 2025, with nine disciplinary decisions following integrity investigations.

Notable Cases in Competitive Titles

Several high-profile cases highlighted in the report involved major eSports titles:

• League of Legends (Oceanic Circuit – LCO): A July 2024 match between Antic Esports and Fury Global drew attention after unusual betting patterns were spotted, resulting in a player suspension of 12 months after investigation.
• League of Legends (North American Challengers League – NACL): A separate LoL case involving intentional loss allegations led to a 30-month ban for a player accused of entering into a financial agreement to influence outcomes.
• VALORANT (VALORANT Champions Tour: Pacific – VCT Pacific): Screenshots of potential match manipulation discussion led to a further 12-month sanction for a player in December 2025.

These sanctions reflect how integrity monitoring not only detects suspicious betting activity but also contributes to accountability and enforcement across professional eSports.

Role of Betting Markets & Integrity Monitoring

As eSports viewership and wagering continue to grow, maintaining competitive integrity has become a shared focus among publishers, data providers, and betting platforms. Monitoring systems like those used by Sportradar help track betting flows and flag anomalies early, thereby protecting athletes and fostering fan trust.

For enthusiasts looking to engage in esports wagering competitively and responsibly, choosing a trusted platform is essential. Check out our best eSports betting site guide to find reputable options that prioritize fair odds and secure play.

Looking Ahead: Continued Vigilance Required

Although the number of suspicious matches flagged in esports is relatively low, the issuance of sanctions and continued anomalies in betting patterns underscore that match-fixing remains a concern.

Industry experts say that advancing detection technologies, stronger cooperation between publishers and integrity partners, and transparent reporting will all help make eSports competitions cleaner and more trustworthy. Sportradar’s latest findings suggest progress, but also that the ecosystem must stay vigilant as the landscape evolves.