"Insufficient evidence" - Riot Games closes NA Challengers match fixing investigation

Following a storm of controversy unleashed by Sean "seangares" Gares’s exposé outlining allegations of match-fixing, cheating, and misconduct within VCL 2025 - North America: Stage 2, Riot Games has now released the findings of its extensive internal investigation. Addressing the public outcry, Riot’s report marks a significant turning point in one of North American VALORANT’s most scrutinized scandals to date.

Overview of Riot’s Investigation

Riot Games, leveraging multiple departments (League Operations, Esports Compliance, and Anti-Cheat) and third-party integrity partners (Sportradar, GRID, and the International Betting Integrity Association) spent several weeks rigorously probing claims of cheating, manipulation, and betting-related misconduct.

Their comprehensive efforts included:

• In-depth review of gameplay footage and account data from the Blue Otter versus Shopify Rebellion match, as well as six additional matches that were named in the allegations.
• Examination of Tournament Realm and live accounts, as well as granular user behavior logs and in-game analytics data.
• Interviews with players and key personnel implicated or named in the public discourse.
• Analysis of circulated betting slips and social media evidence.
• Clean feed protocol reviews and broadcast engineering workflows.
• A thorough probe into rumors of Riot staff involvement.

Key Findings: Allegations Deemed Unsubstantiated

At every investigative front, Riot Games and its integrity partners reported a consistent outcome: no credible evidence was found to support the sweeping allegations aired by Gares or others within the community.

Cheating and Gameplay Review

Riot’s Anti-Cheat and Competitive Operations teams meticulously analyzed footage and account logs. There was no evidence of cheating or suspicious in-game behavior detected in any of the high-profile matches cited. Account audits and user data flagged no anomalies.

Betting Activity Under the Microscope

Market activity across the 2025 NA Challengers League was reviewed by partnered investigators. Remarkably, none of the games studied were flagged as suspicious from a betting standpoint. Furthermore, viral betting slips tied to the scandal were determined either to be misattributed or referencing unrelated events.

Team and Staff Conduct

The probe went as far as to scrutinize claims involving potential misconduct by Riot staff, prompted by circulating social media rumors. These, too, were traced back to retracted or unsubstantiated third-party sources, with no misconduct found on the part of Riot employees.

Additional Due Diligence and Community Engagement

Riot’s final report highlights proactive outreach to Tournament Organizers and the mapping of “relationship webs” among individuals and organizations mentioned in the allegations. Yet, these efforts failed to yield actionable evidence.

Riot emphasized that while this investigation is now closed, the organization will continue to monitor competition integrity, keeping the door open to future action if new and credible information surfaces.

You can read the full report HERE. You can also read about the steps taken by Riot Games over the years to combat match-fixing HERE.

Looking Forward

Riot Games concluded by reaffirming its commitment to upholding integrity in its competitions, pledging ongoing cooperation with integrity partners and law enforcement where required. Investigations will remain robust and responsive to credible new information, ensuring NA VALORANT remains a safe and competitive scene for all.

The conclusion of this review closes one chapter on the match-fixing allegations, but it serves as a reminder that vigilance, transparent processes, and a unified community effort remain essential for the future of VALORANT esports.

For all things VALORANT-related, make sure to stay tuned to THESPIKE.GG as we continue to update you with the freshest game and esports news.

Featured Image Source: Riot Games