A Valorant player has been issued a warning by Riot Games after placing a bet during the Worlds 2024 final.
What Happened?
On Tuesday, Riot Games released a statement addressing an incident where Benjyfishy, a player for Team Heretics, violated the Riot Games Global Esports Code of Conduct.
The issue arose when Benjyfishy placed a bet on the Worlds 2024 final, an official League of Legends match. While the warning only affected the player, his team, Team Heretics, was also fined as part of the disciplinary action.
The news has sparked discussions across the esports community, particularly since Benjyfishy competes professionally in Valorant, not League of Legends. However, Riot Games provided detailed explanations for their decision.
Breaking Riot’s Betting Rules
The bet in question was placed on November 4, two days after the Worlds 2024 final. According to Riot’s investigation, Team Heretics staff reported the incident, prompting Riot to initiate a disciplinary procedure. Benjyfishy was given the opportunity to submit a written statement and cooperated fully during the investigation.
In addition to disclosing details about his betting account, Benjyfishy expressed remorse for his actions and even offered to donate the winnings to charity. These factors were taken into account when Riot Games decided to issue a warning rather than impose a harsher punishment.
The Riot Games Code of Conduct
Riot Games’ Global Esports Code of Conduct explicitly prohibits players from engaging in any betting activity related to its titles. Here’s what the rule states:
- 3.15 Betting.
Esports professionals are prohibited from:
(a) placing or attempting to place a bet, directly or indirectly, on any competition, game, play, or component thereof in which esports professionals participate;
(b) engaging in any legal or illegal betting activity involving any Riot Games title, or instructing, enabling, or assisting others in doing so; and
(c) having any direct or indirect interest in any entity that promotes, conducts, or organizes betting activities related to Riot Games esports competitions.
The policy defines betting activity as risking anything of value (including real-world currency, cryptocurrency, or digital assets) in relation to a wager. This applies to physical establishments, online platforms, and other forms of gambling.
Outcome of the Incident
Thanks to Benjyfishy’s cooperation and the minor scale of the bet—he won only €100—the matter concluded with a warning for the player and a fine for Team Heretics. Riot made it clear that any further violations could result in harsher penalties.
While the case didn’t escalate, it serves as a reminder to all esports professionals about the importance of adhering to Riot Games’ strict rules on betting and gambling.
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