April 23, 2026
Final Charge and Sanction Against Dota 2 Participant Tommy “Taiga” Le
The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) confirms that it has issued a Final Notice of Charge and Sanction Determination against professional Dota 2 player Tommy “Taiga” Le under the ESIC Integrity Program, including the Anti-Corruption Code (ACC) and Code of Conduct.
This determination has been issued pursuant to Article 4.6.7 of the ACC, on the basis that, in ESIC’s assessment, the available evidence is sufficient to establish the relevant breaches.
Process and timing
ESIC acknowledges that there has been a significant period between the initial investigative steps in this matter and the issuance of this final determination.
Following the matter becoming public, ESIC received information giving rise to concerns regarding Mr. Le’s welfare and state of mind. In those circumstances, ESIC considered it appropriate to proceed cautiously and to allow a period of time to pass before bringing the matter to final conclusion.
ESIC has now determined that sufficient time has elapsed, and that it is necessary and appropriate, in the interests of integrity, finality, and the protection of the esports ecosystem, to conclude this matter by way of final sanction.
Investigation and findings
The matter arose from an investigation into allegations including betting-related misconduct, misuse of inside information, failure to report corrupt approaches, and failure to cooperate with ESIC’s investigation.
As part of its investigation, ESIC exercised its powers to issue formal interrogatories and to require the Participant’s attendance at interview. The Participant did not provide substantive responses to those interrogatories and did not attend scheduled interviews, without providing compelling justification.
In accordance with its rules, ESIC drew adverse inferences from that non-cooperation.
Having considered the available material, including published content, investigative records, and the Participant’s lack of engagement with the process, ESIC found that the Participant:
- engaged in communications with individuals alleged to be involved in betting or match-fixing activity;
- became involved in betting-related communications and financial dealings connected to professional matches;
- disclosed, or was involved in circumstances involving the use of, inside information for betting purposes;
- engaged in, facilitated, or agreed to conduct designed to ensure particular in-game incidents for betting-related purposes;
- received financial benefit in connection with such conduct; and
- failed to report relevant approaches and failed to cooperate with ESIC’s investigation.
ESIC further determined that the Participant’s non-cooperation was deliberate and persistent, and that it materially aggravated the seriousness of the underlying conduct.
Charges
On the basis of those findings, ESIC determined that the Participant had committed multiple breaches of the ESIC Anti-Corruption Code and Code of Conduct, including provisions relating to:
- improper influence of match conduct and specific in-game events;
- betting and facilitating betting activity;
- misuse and disclosure of inside information; and
- failure to disclose corrupt approaches and failure to cooperate with an investigation.
Sanction
Having regard to the seriousness of the breaches, the applicable sanction ranges, and the aggravating factors identified under the ACC; including lack of cooperation, the nature of the conduct, and the potential impact on the integrity of competitive esports; ESIC has determined that the appropriate sanction is a lifetime period of ineligibility.
This sanction prohibits Mr. Le from participating in, officiating at, attending in an official capacity, or otherwise being involved in any ESIC member event, competition, or sanctioned activity, effective immediately.