Connect with us

WINNING COMBINATION - SOFTSWISS develops innovative iGaming software products for online casino, sports betting, and beyond. Our products can be delivered as standalone solutions or combined into a single iGaming Platform.

The future of sports betting: BETBY sportsbook is focused on innovation through deep industry knowledge, state-of-the-art software & endless customization possibilities.

eSports

Betting firms have responsibility to tackle esports corruption

Published

on


In this photo: Luckbox CEO Lars Lien
Reading Time: 3 minutes

 

Gambling companies have a responsibility to stamp out corruption in esports, according to one betting industry official.

The reputation of esports has been harmed by scandals including match-fixing, cheating and underage gambling.

Recent examples include CSGO player forsaken being banned after using a hack in an ESL Premiership event and Clash Royale payer Jimit Bhatt being suspended for 12 months for cheating.

Lars Lien, founder and CEO of esports betting operator Luckbox.com, says the legitimate operators in the gambling industry have a duty to help clean up the reputation of esports.

Luckbox is a member of the Esports Integrity Coalition, which works to maintain standards in esports.

Lien said: “Gambling will happen and it’s a matter of making sure that responsible operators work together to stamp out match-fixing and to help prevent it. We have an integral role in eliminating that from our world.

“This is why we’re part of ESIC, where we and other responsible operators share suspicious alerts. So if we see betting patterns that are not consistent with a normal match, we report to ESIC and they will investigate the event in question. They work with tournament organisers, teams, they educate players, they work to stamp it out.”

 

Players need to understand the risks

Luckbox holds an Isle Of Man gambling licence, which offers esports fans the highest levels of security and protection to bet on Dota 2, CSGO and League Of Legends.

Lien said it was also important for esports fans to be aware of the risks when choosing where to bet.

He said: “Recently, there’s a Reddit post that a gaming company stole $500 from them. There might be legitimate reasons for seizing the funds of a customer, because match-fixing is a problem in every sport, including esports.

“That gambling company might have very good reasons for seizing funds but the difference is if that company had a good licence, the customer would be able to go to the Gaming Commission, file a formal complaint and the Gaming Commission would help the customer get the money back if that seizure was unwarranted. There’s legal recourse.

“Operators in jurisdictions such as Curacao, Cyprus, many others. There’s no recourse. I could borrow a Curacao licence if I wanted to.

“Esports has seen the skin-betting scandals where operators have let 12-year-olds play using their parents’ credit cards. Children don’t have the same understanding of gambling risks. Even with adults, you will have problematic behaviour.

“Betting should enhance your experience, it should not be the experience. If someone loses their house, that’s a bad thing, of course.

“This is also part of the distinction between the good guys and the bad guys. We have deposit limits, we have responsible gaming limits, we will make sure our players are over 18 and we will be looking for problematic behaviour, so we can help people not spend more on gambling than they can afford.”

 

Learning from the best

Lien said he was motivated to obtain the Isle of Man licence after working at PokerStars, which is also based on the island. In 2011, the US government banned online poker and PokerStars was able to return funds to players while rival Full Tilt collapsed.

Lien said: “You can either be one of the good guys, that has a proper licence, where all of the player funds are segregated from the funds of the company.

“We have what’s called a ‘client account’, which is similar to what a lawyer would have to keep the funds of their clients, that’s completely legally and physically separated from the funds of the business.

“I worked for PokerStars and the Department of Justice, in the US, decided they wanted to shut down the poker scene. They filed complaints against PokerStars and one of the competitors, Full Tilt. What happened?

“PokerStars, because they had taken licensing seriously from day one – they actively and intentionally got the strictest gambling licence in the world (the Isle of Man) – and as a consequence of that they were forced into having good corporate governance, good structures, good compliance. They were forced into doing things right and Full Tilt did not.

“So when the Department of Justice pulled the rug from under the industry, FullTilt collapsed. Customers couldn’t get their money, everything was black, no one understood how they would get their money back. They didn’t have the money, PokerStars did and paid everyone back in a matter of weeks.”

 Make sure to view the video where, Lars Lien, CEO of Luckbox, discusses the role of betting in the esports industry, and how proper regulation can solve the issues that it raises.

 

About Luckbox

Luckbox was founded by former PokerStars colleagues Lars Lien and Mike Stevens. Luckbox was built by a team combining vast experience in the igaming industry and a passion for esports to offer players unique and highly social platform for CSGO gambling, Dota 2 and League of Legends betting. Real Time Games Holding Limited – the company behind the Luckbox brand – holds a full licence under the Online Gambling Regulation Act (OGRA), issued by the Gaming Supervision Commission. Luckbox is a proud member of ESIC and is committed to supporting responsible gambling.

Zoltán is a self-taught publisher and events organizer who has developed several brands and services that have increased the notoriety of his company within multi-billion dollar industries. In 2018, he has become a TEDx speaker and talked about reputation management in the digital era. As Co-Founder of HIPTHER Agency, Zoltan has helped develop highly respected online news portals, virtual and in-person conferences that cater to multiple industries on 5 continents. Among the developed brands and services you can find online news portals that cover several tech industries, gaming, blockchain, fintech, artificial intelligence, and more. In parallel, the company has built a portfolio of annually organized boutique-style conferences in Europe and North America. All the events organized by his company focus on bringing a wealth of information about the latest innovation in several industries such as Entertainment, Technology, Gaming and Gambling, Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, Fintech, Quantum Technology, Legal Cannabis, Health and Lifestyle, VR/AR, eSports and many more. Zoltan enjoys writing articles on all portals owned by the HIPTHER Agency, talking at conferences, hosting the weekly HIPTHER Talks Podcast, and loves spending time with his family. Zoltan is a duathlete who enjoys training for different international competitions which include running and cycling.

Advertisement
Advertisement

Trending (Top 7)

Discover the Magic of EuropeanGaming.eu – Your Gateway to the Gaming Universe

At the heart of the ever-evolving gaming and gambling industry lies EuropeanGaming.eu, a trailblazing online platform that has become the go-to destination for industry professionals, enthusiasts, and stakeholders. As part of HIPTHER, we’re redefining how the gaming world connects, informs, and inspires.

More Than News – A Hub of Insight and Innovation

Reaching over 300,000 readers monthly, EuropeanGaming.eu goes beyond headlines to deliver compelling stories, expert insights, and the latest industry news. From regulatory updates and compliance breakthroughs to the pulse-pounding world of esports and technological advancements, we provide comprehensive coverage of the topics that matter most:

  • Online and Land-Based Gaming
  • Betting and Esports
  • Regulatory and Compliance Updates
  • Cutting-Edge Technology in Gaming

Whether it’s daily news, exclusive interviews with industry leaders, in-depth event reports, or press releases that set the tone for the future, our content resonates with a global audience while maintaining a focus on Europe’s dynamic gaming market.

Bringing the Industry Together

Our impact doesn’t stop at digital content. EuropeanGaming.eu is a proud host of virtual meetups and industry-leading conferences that spark dialogue, foster collaboration, and drive innovation. Through detailed reports and live events, we create a space where operators, suppliers, regulators, and professional services come together to shape the future of gaming.

Why EuropeanGaming.eu?

At HIPTHER, we believe in empowering the gaming community with knowledge, connection, and opportunity. EuropeanGaming.eu embodies this spirit by serving as a one-stop resource for the latest trends, market developments, and global perspectives. Whether you’re an industry veteran, a rising operator, or a gaming enthusiast, this is where you find the stories that drive progress.

Get In Touch

Let’s shape the future of gaming together!


Copyright © 2015 - 2025
European Gaming is proudly part of HIPTHER. Registered in Romania under Proshirt SRL, Company Number: 2134306, EU VAT ID: RO21343605.
Office Address: Blvd. 1 Decembrie 1918 nr.5, Târgu Mureș, Romania

Join us as we celebrate a decade of delivering excellence and embrace the magic of what’s to come in 2025 and beyond!

We are constantly showing banners about important news regarding events and product launches. Please turn AdBlock off in order to see these areas.