The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) announced Tuesday that online crypto gambling platform Stake has joined as an official “tier 1 anti-corruption” partner.
Financial terms (if any) were not disclosed.
As a tier one anti-corruption partner role, Stake will “contribute to ESIC’s integrity monitoring network, helping advance the Commission’s efforts to ensure transparency, accountability, and sustainability within the global esports industry,” according to the announcement. EISC said in its announcement that this new collaboration reinforces both organisations’ “commitment to safeguarding the credibility and long-term development of competitive gaming worldwide.”
“The addition of Stake to ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter network reinforces the sentiment that integrity is a shared responsibility,” said Stephen Hanna, CEO of ESIC. “ESIC’s Anti-Corruption Supporter program relies on the active collaboration of partners like Stake, whose operational insights contribute directly to our ability to identify and mitigate integrity threats. Together, we are building a stronger foundation of trust and accountability that supports the sustainable growth of esports worldwide.”
The ESIC Anti-Corruption partner program leans on betting operators and industry stakeholders who can aid in the detection, analysis, and investigation of suspicious betting activity, such as match-fixing and individuals involved in competitive matches engaging in gambling (which is generally against the rules of most competitive leagues and tournaments).
Stake is a gray market cryptocurrency-based online casino incorporated in Curaçao and holds an “online license” to operate from that jurisdiction. The platform is best known for its strong financial ties to streaming platform Kick.com (it was founded by Kick co-founders Ed Craven and Bijan Tehrani), and for its promotion on that platform by some of the world’s most well-known streamers and content creators. Stake.us (which targets U.S. consumers) is legal to use in some U.S. jurisdictions.