Riot Games has officially disqualified Polish midlaner Jakub "Syzyf" Ruta for 12 months. The reason for this was an investigation which revealed that the esports athlete allowed a close relative to place bets on matches he participated in during the Rift Legends 2026 Winter Split, where he played for Onion Team.
The situation came to light after one of Riot Games' competitive integrity monitoring partners reported suspicious betting activity during two Onion Team matches in February 2026. The sports integrity agency Sportradar was brought in for the investigation, analyzing the data and interviewing players.
Although experts found no compelling evidence of match-fixing or intentional losing on Jakub Ruta's part, the player violated the Esports Global Code of Conduct. According to Rule 4.15, professional players are strictly prohibited from placing bets or facilitating them, and esports athletes bear direct responsibility if their family members are involved in betting.
Since Syzyf allowed betting on matches he participated in, he received a complete ban from competing in all official Riot Games-sanctioned events. The suspension took effect immediately—in late July 2026—and will last for exactly 365 days.
For a tier-two player trying to climb the rankings, this is a serious blow to his career. At the same time, the decision serves as a harsh reminder to the entire community: even without a direct intention to throw a game, involving one's inner circle in betting leads to swift exclusion from the professional scene.
This incident starkly highlights the paradox of the modern industry. At the corporate level, betting sponsorships have become a key revenue stream for tournament organizers and teams, with bookmaker logos appearing en masse on player jerseys and broadcasts. However, at the individual level, the rules remain absolute: those holding the mouse and keyboard, as well as their relatives, are strictly prohibited from crossing the betting line.
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