Riot clears NA VALORANT Tier 2 of match-fixing allegations

Riot Games has concluded its investigation into alleged match-fixing and underground betting in North America’s Tier 2 VALORANT scene, finding “no evidence” of cheating or coordinated misconduct.

The probe followed explosive claims from former Shopify Rebellion General Manager Sean “sgares” Gares, who alleged that the Challengers League was “rotten to the core” and influenced by gambling rings.

The developer’s review, released on July 30, examined gameplay from multiple 2025 Challengers matches — including the contested Blue Otter vs. Shopify Rebellion series — alongside betting market data flagged on social media.

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Riot’s Anti-Cheat and Competitive Operations teams, in partnership with integrity watchdogs IBIA, GRID, and Sportradar, found no suspicious patterns in gameplay or betting slips with top esports betting sites and dismissed claims that any Riot staff were involved.

Riot emphasized that while whistleblowers play a vital role in safeguarding competitive integrity, false or unsubstantiated allegations risk undermining trust.

“Reports should always be based on credible evidence or observations,” the statement read, while pledging to keep monitoring the Tier 2 ecosystem for irregularities.

The allegations first surfaced in May when Gares, a respected former Counter-Strike pro turned VALORANT analyst, claimed players were accepting bribes of “tens of thousands of dollars” to throw matches.

His video evidence — including alleged betting slip screenshots — went viral, prompting calls from fans and pros for Riot to act.

Despite the clean findings, skepticism lingers in the community, with some questioning whether the investigation fully addressed concerns about financial instability and oversight in North America’s secondary circuit.

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Tier 2 VALORANT has faced shrinking organizational support, with several major teams exiting the scene in recent years, leaving players reliant on smaller orgs or free agency.

Riot’s statement signals no immediate structural changes, but the company has reaffirmed its commitment to integrity protocols.

With VALORANT Champions Tour Challengers playoffs approaching, the spotlight remains on Riot to ensure competitive trust as VALORANT’s global ecosystem continues to evolve.

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