Former Ukrainian esports player Ilya "Ganginho" Chernychenko has been handed a three-year ban by the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) due to serious violations related to corruption and betting. This decision follows a thorough investigation into his activities, which revealed a significant number of bets placed on matches involving his own team.
The investigation was initiated after ESIC received a credible report through its affiliate network. Evidence collected showed that Ganginho placed 390 bets on Counter-Strike matches using accounts linked to him via shared IP addresses, device identifiers, and other unique digital markers. Notably, his betting activities included substantial wagers on matches featuring TNL, the team he represented from May to October 2024.
According to ESIC, these actions resulted in winnings of approximately $20,000.
In October, Ganginho announced his retirement from competitive gaming on social media, reflecting on his experiences: "It was a great time that gave me a lot of great people. But life is so fast that you can't dwell on one thing and you need to be able to take the next step."
Having violated multiple sections of ESIC's Anti-Corruption Code and Code of Conduct—including the misuse of insider information and match manipulation—Ganginho's ban is retroactive to December 6, 2024. During this three-year period, he is prohibited from participating in any events partnered with ESIC in any official capacity, including roles as a player, coach, manager, or broadcaster.