Dai Phu “Hoopa” Mong
Ruling
TL;DR:
Dai Phu “Hoopa” Mong (“Hoopa”), breached Article (Art.) 3.14 and 4.9 of the Riot Games Esports Global Code of Conduct 2024 Edition (hereinafter referred to as the “Global Code of Conduct''), by approaching another player to engage in match-fixing. Consequently, Hoopa is suspended from participating in any Riot-sanctioned competitions, for twelve (12) months, with immediate effect. The sanction will expire on 20 January 2026.
TIMELINE
On July 19, 2024, Riot Games received a report from its integrity partner, Sportradar, identifying suspicious betting patterns related to the match between Antic Esports and Fury Global in the League of Legends Circuit Oceania (“LCO”) 2024 Season Split 2, which took place on July 16, 2024. The report highlighted suspicious pre-match betting activity favoring Fury Global to lose the Match. Upon receiving the report, Riot immediately appointed Sportradar to further look into the matter. In particular, Sportradar’s Intelligence and Investigation team interviewed persons of interest associated with the Match and gathered additional witness testimonies and evidence.
While this investigation initially focused on the Split 2 match between Antic Esports and Fury Global, evidence uncovered during the process revealed credible attempts by Hoopa to incite another player to engage in match-fixing during Split 1 of the LCO 2024 Season. Further review of the Split 2 match did not yield sufficient evidence to confirm any breaches of the Global Code of Conduct; however, the findings did confirm potential breaches from Split 1.
Based on the information at hand and in accordance with the Global Code of Conduct, Riot Games initiated disciplinary proceedings against Hoopa on December 12, 2024 and provided him with an opportunity to submit a statement. Hoopa submitted his written response on December 16, 2024.
RELEVANT RULES
Esports Professionals must abide by the Global Code of Conduct. In particular, the below provisions are relevant to the present case:
3.14 Match-fixing or Manipulation.
Esports Professionals may not match-fix or otherwise manipulate the outcome of any match or competition or request, encourage, or instruct others to manipulate it. “Manipulation” is defined as the unlawful or undue influencing or alteration (including failing to give best efforts), directly or indirectly, by an act or an omission, of the course, result, or any other aspect of a match (i.e. spot-fixing) or a competition, irrespective of whether the behavior is committed for financial gain, sporting advantage, or any other purpose. Teams may be sanctioned for the actions of their team owners, players, coaches, and any other employees or members of their organization. Any attempt to manipulate any competition, even if done unsuccessfully, will be deemed a violation of this rule.
4.9 Attempting, Assisting, Colluding, or Inciting Violations and Circumventing Sanctions.
Attempts to engage in behavior that would violate this Code of Conduct are subject to sanction. Advocating, encouraging, colluding, or assisting any conduct that is prohibited by this Code of Conduct is a violation of this Code of Conduct. An attempt to circumvent a suspension, disqualification, or ban by using another game account or Riot ID is prohibited and a violation of this Code of Conduct.
RULING
Riot Games takes match-fixing allegations very seriously, as these actions undermine the integrity of competition, erode trust, damage reputations, and can lead to severe consequences. Match-fixing deteriorates the players’ experience, betrays fans' trust and threatens the long-term sustainability and fairness of esports, making it one of the most serious breaches of the Code that Riot Games considers when making decisions.
Riot Games considered the specific circumstances of the case, the severity of the offenses committed, and all aggravating and mitigating factors. The summary below outlines Riot’s most relevant findings only.
Hoopa was found to have breached Art. 3.14 and 4.9 of the Global Code of Conduct by inciting another player to fix a match. Specifically, the evidence indicates that Hoopa actively sought to influence a teammate to manipulate the outcome of the match scheduled between Fury Global and Dire Wolves, although this attempt was unrelated to betting purposes. Riot Games acknowledges that the individual approached by Hoopa rejected his proposal, and the attempted manipulation did not materialize. Furthermore, in a statement submitted to Riot Games on December 16, 2024, Hoopa admitted to inciting his teammate to lose the game.
While the incitement to fix the match did not materialize, Hoopa’s actions in inciting such behavior undermined the principles of fairness, trust, and competitive integrity that form the foundation of Riot Games Esports. Actions inciting match-fixing can erode trust, compromise competitive integrity, and normalize unethical behavior. Addressing such breaches helps preserve fair play and protect the competition's integrity. As such, Riot Games has imposed a sanction that reflects the severity of the offense.
In view of the above, Hoopa has been sanctioned with a twelve (12) month suspension from all Riot-sanctioned competitions, effective immediately from January 20, 2025.
Riot Games remains committed to upholding the integrity of esports by addressing violations of the Global Code of Conduct with appropriate sanctions to deter similar actions in the future.