WCS
This translated investigation report has been edited for clarity. Some redundant and extraneous portions have been omitted (they may be added later for completeness' sake). Some supplementary information has been added in blue text. The original documents can be downloaded HERE.
StarCraft 2 Match-Fixing Investigation Result:
- 12 identified, 9 indicted and arrested, 2 indicted (not arrested), 1 wanted
The Changwon Regional Prosecution Service’s special investigations division has investigated match-fixing in StarCraft 2 and identified twelve individuals involved, including a head coach, current and former progamers, and brokers. Nine have been indicted and arrested, two have been indicted but not arrested, and one suspect is currently at large.
- NINE Indicted and arrested: One head coach and two progamers from a StarCraft 2 progaming team, who received between 5,000,000~20,000,000 won to fix the result of FIVE matches. One ex-progamer and four other BROKERS, who posed as sponsors or used personal relationships to solicit match-fixing. TWO gangsters who acted as FINANCIAL BACKERS who bet on illegal websites and provided the compensation for match-fixing.
- TWO RECRUITERS who recruited members for gambling "clubs" have been indicted but not arrested. One of their accomplices is wanted.
By revealing not only top-class progamers but a currently active head coach, and the ENTIRE NETWORK of broker and financial backers behind them, the reality of the previously rumored StarCraft 2 match-fixing scene has been revealed.
We plan to continue enforcing the law against match-fixers who would impede fairness in society.
I. The Defendants
*Though the investigators did not name Gerrard, YoDa, BBoongBBoong, or Enough by name, their identities have been widely reported by Korean media. They will be referred to directly throughout this translation.
"A"(age 31) Gerrard: Head coach of StarCraft 2 pro team BLANK (Prime). Indicted and arrested.
"B"(22) YoDa, "C"(29) BBoongBBoong: StarCraft 2 progamers. Indicted and arrested.
"D"(33) Enough (former SC1 pro and journalist), "E"(39), "F"(38), "G"(28): Brokers. Indicted and arrested.
"H"(36, member of criminal organization X). "I"(26, member of criminal organization Y): Financial backers. Indicted and arrested.
"J"(25), "K"(38): Recruiters for gambling sites. Indicted, not arrested.
*12 identified suspects, 9 Indicted and arrested, 2 indicted but not arrested, 1 at large.
*See Appendix (1) for detailed list of charges.
II. INVESTIGATIVE PROCESS
August, 2015: Based on a report about suspected match-fixing in StarCraft 2, the investigation began in earnest with the arrest of financial backer "I."
September-October, 2015: Gerrard and nine others were indicted and arrested in relation to match-fixing.
III. CASE DETAILS.
1. Match-fixing in multiple StarCraft 2 leagues: Five games fixed in total.
- A total of five games were fixed across multiple leagues: SKT Proleague, GSL Season 1 Code S Ro16, GSL Season 2 Code A Ro48, and GSL Season 2 Code S Ro32.
- Because StarCraft 2 is played one-on-one, it is easier to fix than other competitions. Thus, matches in both team tournaments (Proleague) and individual tournaments (GSL) were fixed.
- *See Appendix (2) for specific game details and the role of each defendant.
2. Active head coaches, famous pro-gamers participated in match-fixing.
- Though there were cases of players engaging in match-fixing in StarCraft 1 and offline sports, this case is unique in that an active coach collaborated with players on his own team.
- Despite his obligation to protect YoDa and BBoongBBoong from match-fixing, Gerrard introduced them to brokers or directly solicited match-fixing himself, receiving considerable compensation in the process.
- YoDa was a top-class progamer who had previous won championships or placed runner-up in international tournaments. However, it did not prevent him from accepting considerable compensation to manipulate match results.
- The head coach and progamers agreed to manipulate the results of matches in a variety of easy ways: Simply losing, going over time (e.g. game lasts longer than 15 minutes regardless of result), going under time (e.g. game lasts less than 15 minutes regardless of result), losing under time (e.g. losing in less than 15 minutes), etc.
3. Brokers approached the players in a variety of ways.
- Posing as sponsors and arranging match fixing.
- Brokers approached under the guise of being sponsors. Acquired services through head coach, then approached players directly. Later forced match-fixing services through player extortion.
- Brokers "E" and "F" posed as sponsors and gave the team small amounts of operating funds to earn Gerrard’s trust before suggesting match-fixing.
- At first they acquired the progamer's services through Gerrard, but after one successful fix, the player was contacted directly by the broker and offered large compensation for match-fixing.
- After YoDa was paid to match-fix once, the brokers blackmailed YoDa into manipulating additional matches free of compensation by threatening to expose his doings.
- Brokers approached under the guise of being sponsors. Acquired services through head coach, then approached players directly. Later forced match-fixing services through player extortion.
- Ex-progamer and gaming journalist as broker.
- Enough, who had been active as a famous SC1 progamer, gaming journalist, and broadcast host, had many connections with head coaches, players, and others in the industry.
- Enough used his relationships with Gerrard and YoDa to naturally approach them and offer them match-fixing for a large fee.
- Enough, who had been active as a famous SC1 progamer, gaming journalist, and broadcast host, had many connections with head coaches, players, and others in the industry.
- Attempts to solicit match-fixing through social media.
- Broker "G"made dozens of attempts to blindly offer match-fixing opportunities to progamers or their acquaintances through Facebook posts.
- Progamers declined such offers and thus match-fixing did not occur through the above route. However, "G" still received tens of millions of won (10,000,000 won is approximately $9000 USD) from financial backer "I" under the premise of “operating funds.”
- *The fact that progamers are constantly exposed to match-fixing offers has been reported by the media. Related media stories include: Facebook harassment, a progamer's sister approached about match-fixing, a broker being imprisoned by financial backer for his failure to arrange a fixed match, etc.
- Broker "G"made dozens of attempts to blindly offer match-fixing opportunities to progamers or their acquaintances through Facebook posts.
4. Revenue model of "financial backers" (members of organized crime groups)
- Betting directly on illegal betting websites.
- Backer "H" gave brokers funds to arrange the match manipulation, and then proceeded to use illegal gambling websites to bet on the matches. The winnings became revenue, and funds for further match-fixing.
- The actual profit for financial backers was not particularly great. The maximum bet size for one person on an illegal gambling site was around 1,000,000 won (approximately $900), with a payout of around 1.3~1.5x. Matches rumored to be fixed sometimes had their bets cancelled. In the case of broker "G," the broker gave false information on a fixed-match but still received payment from the financial backer.
- "H" received back the 25,000,000 won he gave broker "E" in its entirety. After betting approximately 31,500,000 on two matches, his total winnings were 41,500,000 won.
- *The sites used by "H" have all been closed.
- Backer "H" gave brokers funds to arrange the match manipulation, and then proceeded to use illegal gambling websites to bet on the matches. The winnings became revenue, and funds for further match-fixing.
- Receiving commissions from "betting club" members.
- Backer "I" gave broker "G" funds to arrange match fixing. Once he received information on matches to be fixed, he made recruiters "J" and "K" go to net cafes, etc. and recruit members for a "betting club." "I" received a commission of 30% or more from the members.
- "I" was able to collect approximately 35,000,000 won in commissions from around 50 club members. Part of the money went to broker "G" as operating funds.
- Backer "I" gave broker "G" funds to arrange match fixing. Once he received information on matches to be fixed, he made recruiters "J" and "K" go to net cafes, etc. and recruit members for a "betting club." "I" received a commission of 30% or more from the members.
IV. Meaning of the Investigation
1. First time an active head coach was discovered in SC2 match fixing.
- This is the first time the previously rumored StarCraft 2 match-fixing has been uncovered.
- Though various measures were taken to prevent match-fixing from happening again after the 2010 SC1 match-fixing scandal, a severe moral hazard was discovered with top class progamers and even head coaches participating.
2. Thorough investigation leading to discovery of all offenders.
- Through a clandestine and tenacious investigation, not only were the match-fixing progamers caught, but the entire network of brokers and financial backers behind them was found as well. This contributes to preventing the recurrence of match-fixing.
- The methods for arranging match-fixing, as well as the revenue models behind match-fixing have been brought to light.
3. Opportunity to form a healthy esports culture.
- Esports declined after the 2010 match-fixing scandal. Recently, there have been many efforts to try and help esports regain its former glory, such as the opening of dedicated arenas, the revival of various tournaments, opening up of esports admissions for universities, etc.
- Outside the material infrastructure listed above, this investigation seeks to awake the kind of awareness needed to preserve the spirit of fairness that is at the heart of wholesome sports culture.
V. Going forward.
We will continue to crack down on the match-fixing and illegal internet gambling that harms the fairness of society. We plan to do everything we can to help establish wholesome esports culture.
Appendix (1): Charges against the defendants
Additional information and VOD links on the five manipulated matches have been provided.
1.Gerrard
- SPL 2015 - January 20: BBoongBBoong vs. Flash (VOD)
Gerrard received 5,000,000 won from broker "E." Gerrard then then suggested match-fixing to BBoongBBoong and transferred the 5,000,000 won to him. [Bribery, Obstruction] - Code S Ro16 Season 1 - February 13: YoDa vs Life OR TY. (VOD vs Life)(VOD vs TY)
Unknown which match or matches in the series the charge refers to.
Gerrard received requests from brokers "E" and "F" to introduce him to YoDa, and he followed through on the request. [Bribery, Obstruction] - Code S Ro32 Season 2 - May 13: YoDa vs Bbyong OR Symbol. (VOD vs Bbyong), (VOD vs Symbol)
Unknown which match or matches in the series the charge refers to.
Gerrard received 10,000,000 won from Enough to arrange YoDa to match-fix. [Bribery, Obstruction] - December 2014 ~ March 2015: Gerrard spent over 57,000,000 won on internet gambling.[Gambling]
YoDa
- Code S Ro16 Season 1 - February 13: YoDa vs Life OR TY. (VOD vs Life)(VOD vs TY)
Unknown which match or matches in the series the charge refers to.
YoDa was introduced to brokers "E" and "F" by Gerrard. YoDa then received 20,000,000 won in return for intentionally losing a match. [Bribery, Obstruction] - Code A Ro48 Season 2 - April 1: YoDa vs DRG (VOD)
YoDa accepted requests from brokers "E" and "F" to intentionally lose a match. [Bribery, Obstruction] - Code S Ro32 Season 2 - May 13: YoDa vs Bbyong OR Symbol. (VOD vs Bbyong), (VOD vs Symbol)
Unknown which match or matches in the series the charge refers to.
YoDa received 10,000,000 won from Enough in return for intentionally losing a match. [Bribery, Obstruction] - SPL 2015 - June 9: YoDa vs HerO. (VOD)
YoDa accepted requests from brokers "E" and "F" to intentionally lose a match. [Bribery, Obstruction]
BBoongBBoong
- SPL 2015 - January 20: BBoongBBoong vs. Flash (VOD)
Through Gerrard, BBoongBBoong received 5,000,000 won from broker "E" in return for intentionally losing a match.[Bribery, Obstruction]
Detailed list of charges against financial backers and brokers. May add later.
Appendix (2)
Almost completely redundant information from Appendix (1), but indexed by match. May add later.
Appendix (3): Diagrams
CHART 1:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Waxangel/misc/cashflowchart.png)
CHART 2:
![[image loading]](http://www.teamliquid.net/staff/Waxangel/misc/cashflowchart2.png)
