In one of the most significant match-fixing scandals in esports history, the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has handed out lifetime and multi-year bans to several members of the Mongolian Counter-Strike team ATOX. Following an extensive investigation, ESIC found that the team had engaged in systematic match manipulation and betting activity linked to organized crime.
List of Sanctioned Individuals and Their Penalties
| Name | Role | Ban Length | Violations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gan-Erdene “dobu” Batbold | Player | Lifetime | Match-fixing leadership, bribery, collusion with crime syndicates |
| Bat-Enkh “kabal” Batbayar | Player | Lifetime | Active match manipulation, concealment of corruption |
| Ana-Erdene “nuka” Baasantogtokh | Analyst | Lifetime | Facilitating over 70 corrupt bets, providing false tactical information |
| Tuguldur “FlyNN” Gansukh | Coach | Three years | Negligent oversight, failure to prevent match-fixing |
| Temuulen “MiQ” Byambadalai | Player | One year | Withholding information, accepting bribe offers for silence |
| Otgonlhagva “AccuracyTG” Batjargal | Player | Eight months | Failure to report integrity breaches |
| Munkhsaikhan “Zesta” Erdenebaatar | Player | Eight months | Failure to report integrity breaches |
Breakdown of the ATOX Match-Fixing Network
The investigation found that the match-fixing scheme was not the work of a single individual. Instead, it revealed a coordinated operation involving players, coaching staff and analysts. The misconduct took place over a span of several months, with more than 70 suspicious bets placed on matches involving ATOX.
Investigative Findings
- Bets were made using both domestic and international accounts that shared device IDs, IP addresses, and other identifying data with ATOX personnel.
- Chat logs, call recordings and tactical documents showed deliberate efforts to influence match outcomes in favor of specific betting results.
- Tactical sabotage was implemented by analyst “nuka,” who intentionally gave misleading in-game instructions to ensure desired outcomes.
- The betting activity was traced to Chinese criminal syndicates already known to law enforcement.
Impact on ATOX and the Esports Community
Tournament organizers including BLAST, ESL and PGL immediately suspended ATOX from participation once the suspicions were confirmed. The team was replaced in upcoming events, and a broader investigation was launched to understand the full scope of corruption.
Immediate Consequences
- ATOX was removed from multiple tournament brackets, including BLAST Open Lisbon and the MESA Asian Masters.
- Replacement teams such as The Huns and Eruption were called in as last-minute substitutes.
- Legal counsel was requested by several accused members during the investigation.
The Role of Organized Crime
One of the most alarming aspects of the case was the discovery of direct connections between ATOX personnel and Chinese betting syndicates. These organizations used esports matches as part of their wider criminal operations, relying on insider manipulation to secure betting wins.
“Wagers were placed through accounts linked to Chinese organized-crime betting syndicates, creating a serious integrity threat to professional esports,” ESIC noted.
Remaining Inquiries and Ongoing Investigations
Although seven individuals have been formally sanctioned, several others remain under scrutiny. These include players who participated in matches under investigation but were not immediately suspended due to a lack of evidence at the time.
- Yalalt “yAmi” Oyunbileg and Tuvshintugs “Annihilation” Nyamdorj were not charged in the original decision but remain subjects of an active inquiry.
- Chinese veteran Peng “xiaosaGe” Song, previously a teammate of “dobu” and “kabal,” is also being investigated.
Conclusion
The revelations surrounding ATOX’s involvement in match-fixing have sent shockwaves through the esports world. With lifetime bans for multiple individuals and strong evidence of transnational criminal influence, the case stands as a stark warning to teams and organizations worldwide. Preserving competitive integrity now requires both technological safeguards and a cultural shift toward transparency and accountability.
