Riot Games has suspended a League of Legends player for a year after an investigation found he allowed a family member to bet on his matches. The player, known as Syzyf, will be sidelined until early 2026.
The Betting Incident
The suspension stems from Syzyf permitting a relative to place bets on games he was playing in. Riot’s esports integrity team flagged the activity and launched a probe. The company did not disclose the specific matches involved or the amount of money wagered.
Syzyf, whose real name was not released by Riot, competes in the European region. The ruling bans him from all Riot-affiliated competition for 12 months, starting immediately.
Riot’s Integrity Rules
Riot’s global esports rules explicitly prohibit players, coaches, and team staff from betting on any Riot game, including their own matches. The policy also bars players from sharing inside information that could be used for betting. Syzyf’s case involved a family member acting on his behalf, which Riot said still violates the rules.
The company’s investigation found that Syzyf did not place the bets himself but allowed a relative to do so. Under Riot’s code, players are responsible for anyone they authorize to access their accounts or personal information.
Penalty and Precedent
The 12-month ban is one of the longer suspensions Riot has handed down for betting-related offenses. The company has previously issued shorter bans for similar violations, but the involvement of a family member and the potential for match influence likely factored into the severity.
Riot did not specify whether Syzyf will forfeit any prize money or earnings during the suspension. The player has not publicly commented on the decision.
The suspension applies to all Riot esports titles, not just League of Legends. Syzyf will be eligible to return after the ban expires, but Riot reserves the right to extend the penalty if new information emerges.
What Comes Next
Syzyf has the option to appeal the ruling through Riot’s esports dispute process. The company said it will continue monitoring betting activity across its competitive ecosystem. No further details about the investigation or the family member involved have been released.
