Ganginho handed three-year ban by ESIC over corruption and betting violations

The former Ukrainian player was found to have placed a large number of bets, including on matches involving his team.

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has announced that it has issued a three-year ban to former Sangal and TNL player Ilya "⁠Ganginho⁠" Chernychenko following an extensive investigation into corruption and betting-related violations.

In a press release, the esports watchdog explained that it launched an investigation after receiving a credible report via its affiliate network.

ESIC obtained evidence of 390 Counter-Strike bets placed via accounts directly tied to Ganginho through shared IP addresses, device identifiers and other unique digital markers. The Ukrainian's betting activity included "significant bets" on matches involving TNL, which he represented between May and October 2024.

"This conduct resulted in winnings totalling approximately $20,000," ESIC added.

In a post on X in October, Ganginho announced his retirement from gaming. "It was a great time that gave me a lot of great people," he wrote. "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 committed multiple breaches of ESIC's Anti-Corruption Code and Code of Conduct, including misuse of inside information and match manipulation, Ganginho has been banned for three years, retroactive to 6 December 2024.

During this period, he is unable to participate in events partnered with ESIC in any official capacity, "including as a player, coach, manager, or broadcaster," the watchdog noted.