Riot Games formally warned Team Heretics player Ben "Benjyfishy" Fish for violating Article 3.15 of the Riot Games Esports Global Code of Conduct. Additionally, a monetary penalty was imposed on the Team Heretics organization.
On November 4, 2024, Team Heretics management notified Riot Games that Benjyfishy had placed a bet on the League of Legends World Championship final match between T1 and Bilibili Gaming, held on November 2. His bet resulted in a €100 win.
According to Article 3.15, professional players are strictly prohibited from engaging in gambling related to Riot Games products. This includes any bets on matches, even if the player is not participating in the respective tournament.
Riot Games conducted a thorough investigation, which confirmed the violation. However, significant mitigating circumstances influenced the final decision:
- Cooperation: Benjyfishy actively assisted in the investigation, providing all necessary information.
- Minimal impact: The bet involved League of Legends, a discipline in which Benjyfishy does not compete professionally.
- Accountability: Benjyfishy voluntarily reported his actions to Team Heretics management, expressed remorse, and made a donation to charity.
Considering these factors, Riot Games opted for an official warning instead of harsher penalties. However, this is not Benjyfishy first misconduct. Earlier in 2024, he publicly apologized after an incident during the VCT 2024 Masters Madrid match against Paper Rex, where his toxic behavior caused a wave of criticism from PRX fans.
The fine imposed on Team Heretics emphasized the importance of upholding the Code of Conduct within the organization. Riot Games also reminded all parties that repeated violations by Benjyfishy would result in much stricter punishments.
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