Esports industry is exposed to corruption, says Azam Baki

The Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) is currently investigating the electronic sports or esports industry for its potential corruption and gambling issues, according to Tan Sri Azam Baki (pic).

The MACC chief commissioner expressed concerns about the likelihood of corruption occurring within the esports industry through digital transactions, such as bitcoin and cryptocurrency, which pose challenges for authorities to detect.

Azam Baki stated, “Although we have not yet encountered any cases, this serves as an alert for us. We must be proactive instead of waiting for any incidents to happen.”

During his speech at the National Governance, Integrity and Anti-Corruption Research Conference, Azam highlighted the increasing complexity of the sports industry since the emergence of electronic sports due to its potential for generating substantial commercial value.

According to a report by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) titled “Global Report on Corruption: Evolutions in Sport Related to Corruption” in 2021, the absence of legislation or policy frameworks regulating the operations of esports operators has exposed the industry to corruption.

The two-day conference, organized by the MACC National Governance Planning Division (BPGN), will feature the presentation of 10 research papers covering various key sectors such as public procurement, sports, and the informal sector.

Overall, the conference serves as a platform for policymakers and industry stakeholders to analyze, strategize, and take necessary actions towards building a society free from corruption.

– Bernama