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Russian YouTuber and journalist Morf dropped a video final week outlining a probably huge match-fixing scene contained in the Dota 2 ecosystem.
The video outlines potential match–repairing in the Dota Professional Circuit throughout each the NA and EEU areas. In actual fact, this cross-region scandal apparently includes so many events and gamers behind-the-scenes, it definitely wouldn’t be superb to even contemplate all of it being true.
At the middle of this scandal is Anton Monetin, a reasonably unknown and underwhelming academy workforce coach from the CIS scene.

Anton Monetin | Supply: Vkontakte
Scheme arrange and all individuals probably concerned
Morf‘s ‘agent‘ allegedly turned a part of a shady ring known as the “322 Mafia”. It began in a Discord server referred to as “The Purple E-book“, which later moved into personal Telegram messages.
In accordance with Morf’s ‘agent’, he assisted Anton, the ex-Winstrike Academy coach, in operating errands. As a wagertor, the agent receives betting cash and insider data from Anton, who requests the winnings again whereas allowing the bettor to wager at a 50% minimize on their income. Contemplating Anton’s typical wager quantity on a single match raked wherever between $1000 and $20,000, there might be some fairly massive cash being distributed throughout a number of events, together with the gamers.
Sadly, Anton confirmed in a reside stream that the 322 Mafia scandal and accusations towards him are largely true. Apart from the declare that he arrange a girl for Albert “alberkaaa” Chernoivanov. Moreover, he rebutted that the ‘agent’ failed to show something greater than a mere private dialog with him over an argument.
Whereas Anton Monetin is on the middle of the story, he’s solely thought of an errand boy on this whole scheme.
Full video under. English subtitles can be found in closed captions:
Rival match-fixing gangs & cross-region “collaboration”
The agent‘s first wager was on the EEU DPC 2023 Tour 1 Open Qualifier match between HOTU and Beatifull, which went as predicted.
Oddly sufficient, the second wager didn‘t go as deliberate, with the Morg claiming that there was a conflicting wager between Anton’s group and another rival match-fixing group, which had induced the loss.
In different phrases, there are dangerous actors in each groups making an attempt their greatest to throw the sport.
He then predicted one other match, NOSTRVM vs OkayZ Workforce, for a wager of over 1.6 million in unspecified forex. With a few extra of these workouts beneath their belt, the agent was ready to wager on increased–tier matches within the Division 1 DPC 2023 bracket. One such wager was Daybreak Gaming vs Invictus Gaming in DPC 2023 China Tour 2, which resulted in Daybreak Gaming‘s subsequent ban from Valve for match–repairing.
What drastically amplifies the severity of this story is that they’re involving events throughout different areas too. Some 46 Chinese language Dota 2 gamers and groups obtained bans for match-fixing earlier this yr, however the problem appears to be additionally deeply rooted in North America too.
Two video games within the DPC Division 1 bracket have been talked about. The match between Storeify Revolt vs Thiuth Gaming and TSM vs Wildcard Gaming. Allegedly, the beneathcanine in these matches (Thiuth Gaming and Wildcard Gaming) manipulated the outcomes and complete scores of the video games for the objective of betting. Therefore, even in such one-sided match-ups, the place the underdogs have extraordinarily low odds of successful, there are particular betting markets to capitalize on the dangerous actors. Say, the kill rating must be 3 times greater than the dropping workforce.
Morf expressed uncertainty concerning which gamers have been conscious of the match–repairing scheme.
The core takeaway right here will not be the accuracy of match-fixers, however the sheer quantity of doubtless competing rival match-fixing teams throughout the ecosystem.

Morf, the Russian YouTuber, behind the revealed “322 KINGS: Largest match-fixing investigation in Russia’s eSports historical past” Video
Events uncovered and partial response
With that many name-callings, it got here as no shock that the talked about gamers/groups have launched their statements on the accusation.
An rebellion workforce, HYDRA launched their participant, Anatoly “Lefitan” Krupnov after he was accused of dishonest and 322.
Lefitan himself partially confessed on the matter:
“All of it went too far, and I made a decision to share it because it was. I by no means labored immediately with Anton Monetin, and Morf’s data is inaccurate. However I did wager on the victory, totals, and first blood on our workforce’s video games at a D2CL occasion and Neon League. In the intervening time, I used to be in want of cash to reside, and it appeared to me that it was nothing dangerous to wager on victory.
I positioned bets utilizing a intermediary, who later gave the impression to be Monetin’s acquaintance. No one on our workforce or administration knew about this. I used to be in an uneasy scenario and noticed no exit. I didn’t wish to harm anybody. Now, I’m deeply ashamed of damaging the popularity of the gamers and the membership. I’d prefer to apologize to my teammates. It was enjoyable with you on the bootcamp, too dangerous it ended like this.”
Paragon Occasions, the organizer for the Dota Professional Circuit in Japanese Europe, gave an announcement concerning the Hydra scenario. The organizers said that they’re conscious of the developments, however can not move any judgment, or disqualify a workforce of their very own volition. They’ve notified Valve and are ready for them to swing the ban hammer.

Anatoly “Lefitan” Krupnov
Different individuals concerned, primarily rebutted the accusations:
- Vladislav “Kozak” Lazurenko, the previous OG analyst, rebutted claims that he was attributed with the 322 Mafia. As a substitute, he was merely screenshotted in a chat dialog with Anton with out precise proof of betting involvement.
- Albert “Alberkaaa” Chernoivanov and cybercats refuted the accusations however confirmed there was contact between all events concerned and affords being made. Escorenews revealed a great breakdown of their trade.
Key takeaway on the “322 Mafia” scenario
If there’s one factor that connects each area’s match-fixing scenario talked about at this time, it’s the unsustainable Dota 2 Esports profession for many gamers. Whereas high-profile gamers and powerhouses would stray away from match-fixing, gamers and groups within the low-tier bracket are probably struggling to outlive financially with simply DPC prize pool winnings.
Moreover, these 322 Mafia doesn’t want to purchase out all 5 gamers to throw a match or do their bidding as 1-2 gamers are usually sufficient to smash a match.
Roman “RAMZES666” Kushnarev, who watched Morf’s investigation video, shared that match-fixing is quite common in EEU:
On the click on of a finger, match-fixers can ask gamers to throw a sport.
We’ve talked about prize fund distribution in Dota 2 prior to now. Valve’s high heavy method does make every little thing under TI participant tier profitable for manipulation. Hopefully, this stir within the hornet’s nest results in many adjustments.
As soon as Valve makes its verdict on the groups and gamers to ban from this investigation, the opposite dialogue must be on how one can make their DPC circuit extra viable for rising gamers and groups.
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