Two e-sports players charged with match-fixing, gambling during tournament
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The men allegedly committed the offences during a 2020 tournament featuring the game Valorant.
SINGAPORE: Two men linked with professional e-sports were charged on Friday (Aug 5) with gambling and fixing a match during an online tournament.
Singaporeans Ryan Tan Shern, 20, and Malcolm Chung Wai Kiat, 24, allegedly committed the offences during a 2020 tournament featuring the game Valorant, the Corrupt Practices Investigation Bureau (CPIB) said in a media release.
On Sep 22, 2020, Tan allegedly promised payment to Chung as an inducement to fix the outcome of a Valorant match at the Epulze Royal SEA Cup tournament.
The match of the first-person shooter game was played between the teams Resurgence and Blackbird Ignis.
The bribe was allegedly in the form of partial winnings from bets placed on the match through an illegal online gambling website, CPIB said.
Tan and Chung face one count each for an offence punishable under the Prevention of Corruption Act. They also face one count each for an offence punishable under the Remote Gambling Act 2014.
On Friday, Tan informed the court that he is attending a support group for those with gambling addiction.
Both men have been offered bail of S$5,000 each and will return to court next month.
“Singapore adopts a strict zero-tolerance approach towards corruption,” CPIB said.
“CPIB will not hesitate to take stern action against any parties involved if evidence of match-fixing through bribery is established.”
Those convicted of a corruption offence face up to five years in prison, a fine of up to S$100,000, or both.
Those convicted of unlawful gambling face up to six months in prison, a fine of up to S$5,000, or both.
