Korea Swept In Illegal Starcraft League Gambling

http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=107&oid=347&aid=0000001080

Apparently a number of current pro gamers has been found involved in match set-ups and illegal betting after being in contact with an illegal gambling group.

Unidentified pro gamers has been found illegally leaking team's replay files and intentionally losing matches.

Teams involved are currently taking measures to oust the offending members and forcing more serious offenders to retire.

Rumors speculate a vast number of A-listers are of those being punished including Savior, AKA Ma Jae Yoon.

New articles are being uploaded in real time (below)

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Update Fomos finally went green on their articles on this scandal. The coverage is pretty extensive. I'll summerize them below

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http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105705&db=issue
This article explains the way these betting sites operate and suggests that the sites began at around 2006 and really exploded in 2008. 2008 is when their business really took place and tried contacting the players for rigging.

http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105706&db=issue
This article talks about how the rigging began. It apparently started with retired pro-gamers taking a part in using their contacts etc.
They're naming no names, but those involved are as followed: A former pro gamer coach, a former match caster/announcer, a pro-gaming scene reporter, and other numerous former pro-gamers.

http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105707&db=issue
This one talks about how camps were infiltrated and players were contacted. Apparently coaching staffs and directors are also involved in the scandal as they took money for changing the player entry.

http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105708&db=issue
This article talks about how these offenders are being sorted out, using various method of bank records, e-mails and phone records. Many who were investigated denied any charges at first, but eventually admitted guilt. The offenders are being dealt with atm.

http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105709&db=issue
This one's about replay leaks. Nothing much here.

http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105710&db=issue
A bit more serious one here. E-sports organizers knew about this and attempted solving the issue through various methods, but as all illegal business goes, they were good at avoiding and re-opening. At a closed conference between E-sports organizers and betting site representatives, the betting sites in a bold move suggested that they should find a way to co-exist with the illegal betting sites - or else they'll release the list of everyone in the e-sports who are involved in the shady deals.

http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105711&db=issue
This article talks about the list containing real name. In Korea, it is illegal to release criminal's real name as part of their human rights law. The article ultimately says no, and it can only be implied.

http://www.fomos.kr/board/board.php?mode=read&keyno=105712&db=issue
This one wonders if police will be involved in the scandal. The article says police will get involved, but their investigation will not include e-sports organizers. Just the betting sites.

Update April 15th, 1:32 AM KST

Deleted the boxer marriage rumor as it has little to do with the scandal directly.

Also, a Korean politician/congressman Jeon Byung-Hyun speaks out on this scandal

http://blog.daum.net/bhjun/5508203

The title reads: Black Sox scandal: is there any way out for E-sports?

First paragraph in the article in Korean:
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In English:
The gambling scandal/match rigging that has been pointed out by certain members of media and the fans of E-sports has been confirmed to be true.

What has been confirmed so far by the Ministery of Culture, is that they are aware of the match throwing in connection with the illegal betting sites, and the E-sports Association have contacted the police for further investigation.

The media and the journalists were already aware of the situation, but for investigative reasons ,such as brokers disappearing into hiding, police has asked the media to stay silent.

But the problem exploded out of control and is being re-amplified within the E-sports community. It has all to do with an E-sports media outlet (which received the initial news) that grew impatient at the slow and improper responses made by the E-sports Association, and decided to publish the news.

The article goes on about the Black Sox scandal and a brief history of SC pro-gaming scene. It ends with why it happened and what should be done, but nothing too informative.

The scandal rumor seems to be a confirmed fact and all we now have to know is who's involved.

Last edit: 2010-04-15 02:14:16

saritenite Singapore. April 12 2010 15:55. Posts 1676