Esports Integrity Commission has banned professional Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player Joel Holmlund after he allegedly placed bets during matches that he participated in.
ESIC has accused Holmlund, who was a member of the CS:GO Godsent team, of violating their Anti-Corruption Code while competing at BetBoom Playlist Urbanistic and IEM qualifier Dallas 2023.
Holmlund is accused by the integrity agency of placing bets between 27 and 28 March 2023 on matches that he participated in. The integrity body also accuses him of having placed two bets on his team’s performance between 27-28 March 2023.
ESIC stated that Holmlund placed 17 wagers between 29 March 2023 and 1 May 2020 on different CS:GO games.
ESIC code of conduct
ESIC accused Holmlund of several violations. Section 2.1.1 of the code prohibits conspiracy to fix matches.
Holmlund was also charged with a number of other violations pertaining to the betting code. Holmlund was accused of gambling on games he played in, concealing it from ESIC and bringing the esports industry into disrepute.
ESIC “considering” the seriousness of the accusations, decided to ban Holmlund’s participation in all ESIC events.
Holmlund has denied all allegations on X (formerly Twitter). Holmlund said in a written statement that he was first informed of the allegations on 30 August but told there would be no further action taken.
He said: “Today, they made a public announcement. That is an extreme injustice (sic).” He said: “They accuse me of stuff that I did not do. That’s pretty obvious. Still, if i come out with them publicly, I will be breaking confidentiality.”
Holmlund stated that he was willing to work with ESIC in this matter and plans to present a final response to the allegations with his attorney on the 6th of October.
