VCT Pacific Pro Suspended: Riot Issues 12-Month Ban for Match-Fixing Engagement

The competitive integrity of esports faces another critical test as Riot Games announces disciplinary action against professional VALORANT player Seungmin "ban" Oh. In a detailed ruling released today, Riot has suspended the player from all sanctioned competitions for twelve months following an investigation into match-fixing allegations during the VCT Pacific 2025 season. This case serves as a stark reminder that even entertaining discussions about match manipulation carries severe consequences in Riot's competitive ecosystem.

**The Investigation Timeline: From Screenshots to Suspension**

The case began on August 27, 2025, when Riot Games became aware of online posts containing unverified screenshots that appeared to show private messages discussing match-fixing within VCT Pacific. Riot immediately appointed Sportradar, a leading integrity services provider, to conduct a thorough investigation. The investigation included interviews with all relevant persons of interest and witnesses, concluding on November 18, 2025. While Riot found no conclusive evidence verifying the authenticity of the initial screenshots, witness testimonies and document review indicated that Ban may have engaged in match-fixing related activities. This led to disciplinary proceedings being initiated against Ban on December 3, 2025, with the player submitting a written response on December 10, 2025.

**The Violation: Entertainment vs. Execution**

Riot's investigation determined that Ban breached Article 4.14 of the Global Code of Conduct, specifically regarding match-fixing or manipulation. The breach resulted from Ban engaging with individuals and entertaining proposals for match manipulation which included financial terms. This occurred specifically regarding the VCT Pacific 2025 match between Global Esports and Team Secret held on July 19, 2025. Crucially, Riot noted that while Ban claimed they did not intend to carry out the proposed manipulation, their engagement still constituted a violation under the Global Code of Conduct. The ruling emphasizes that violations are subject to disciplinary action "whether or not they were committed intentionally or as part of a joke, a stunt, or some form of social media performance."

**The Sanction: 12 Months and Mandatory Training**

Ban's suspension from all Riot-sanctioned competitions takes effect immediately and lasts for twelve months. However, Riot did consider several mitigating factors, most notably Ban's prompt self-reporting of their misconduct before disciplinary proceedings began. This likely prevented a more severe penalty. Additionally, Ban must complete an educational training focused on integrity and ethics within a competitive environment (esports or sports) prior to re-entry into the ecosystem. This educational component represents Riot's approach to not just punish but rehabilitate, ensuring players understand the gravity of integrity breaches before returning to competition.

**Why This Matters for Every Esports Fan**

Riot Games explicitly states that it considers match-fixing "a severe violation of its Global Code of Conduct due to the significant threat it poses to the competitive integrity, trust, and long-term viability of the esports ecosystem." This case demonstrates that the standard applies not just to players who actively fix matches, but to those who even entertain such proposals without immediately reporting them. For fans, this enforcement is crucial—it protects the authenticity of every clutch play, every comeback victory, and every championship run. When we watch VCT matches, we need to know that what we're seeing is genuine competition, not predetermined outcomes influenced by external manipulation.

The suspension of Seungmin "ban" Oh serves as a clear benchmark for professional conduct. As esports continues to grow into a mainstream entertainment product, maintaining fan trust through rigorous integrity enforcement isn't just good practice—it's essential for the entire industry's future. Players at all levels should take note: engaging with match-fixing proposals, even without intent to follow through, will result in significant consequences in Riot's competitive landscape.