November 7, 2022
There has been a major shakeup in the NBA 2K League, were several Esports gambling violations have resulted in the disqualification of at least six players. An investigation found the players has either made bets, or attempted to place bets, on NBA 2K League games.
Some of these players made the bets on their own, while others to place bets for them. Additionally, rules were broken when these players failed to report the violations, and to cooperate with the league’s investigation. The president of the league, Brendan Donohue, stated that the integrity of the games will always “be the NBA 2K League’s top priority.”
The players involved included Christopher Lafanette, Dorian Earl Miller and Robert Nastasi of Blazer5 Gaming. There was also Kimanni Ingram of Jazz Gaming and Zekirri Dennis of Mavs Gaming. All of these players made bets and were guilty of Esports gambling violations, according to the investigation. The coach of Blazer5 Gaming, Andrew Maxie, and another player, Marquis Gill, were subsequently prohibited from continued participation.
President Donohue added that the league will “…always act forcefully regarding violations of the rules governing game integrity and the related reporting and cooperation requirements.” The NBA 2K League is an official esports competition, a team effort of both the NBA and NBA 2K publishers Take-Two.
