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ESIC Issues Lifetime Ban to StarCraft II Player Xue “Firefly” Tao Following Match-Fixing Investigation

The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) announced the outcome of its investigation into serious integrity breaches involving professional StarCraft II competitors Xue “Firefly” Tao and Jinhui “Jim” Cao. Mr. Xue has been banned from ESIC Member events and competitions for life, while Mr. Jinhui has been provisionally suspended pending further sanction.
Following a detailed inquiry spanning April to July 2024, ESIC uncovered evidence of a coordinated match-fixing and profit-sharing scheme. The investigation found that Mr. Xue deliberately manipulated match outcomes to benefit illicit betting activity orchestrated by Mr. Jinhui, with whom he had a long-standing association.
Key findings include:
• Pre-match wagers placed by Mr. Jinhui predicting Firefly’s losses — often by precise scorelines.
• Consistent match losses by Firefly aligning with those wagers across seven tournaments.
• Large Alipay transfers from Jim to Firefly immediately following these matches.
• A WeChat exchange on 21 August 2024 directly referencing prior payments and an effort to conceal evidence.
ESIC has concluded that Xue “Firefly” Tao committed 21 breaches of the ESIC Integrity Programme, spanning both the Anti-Corruption Code and Code of Conduct. As a result, he has been handed a lifetime ban from all ESIC member events and competitions in any capacity.
Mr. Jinhui has been provisionally suspended and served with a Notice of Charge. He has until 14 July 2025 to respond before ESIC issues a formal sanction.
The post ESIC Issues Lifetime Ban to StarCraft II Player Xue “Firefly” Tao Following Match-Fixing Investigation appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18

The Plaza Hotel & Casino will honor two popular Las Vegas sports teams with its weekly Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show this week and next.
Tomorrow night, Friday, July 11, members of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) dance team, the Scarlet Dance Line will be the guests of honor to ignite the fireworks from the TNT box at 9:15 p.m. at Carousel Bar. UNLV alumni and fans are encouraged to wear university gear to Carousel Bar, which will have a DJ starting at 7 p.m. and offer a special cocktail, the Rebel Rita, a frozen strawberry margarita made with Mi Campo Blanco, for the night.
Next Friday, July 18, the mascot for the Vegas Knight Hawks, Risk will be on hand as the TNT ignitor at Carousel Bar honoring the professional indoor football team that plays at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. A DJ will again be entertaining guests at Carousel Bar starting at 7 p.m.
Staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower every Friday at 9:15 p.m. from May through September, the public can watch the Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show for free from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the show for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue.
The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. Updates will be available on the Plaza’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The post Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18

The Plaza Hotel & Casino will honor two popular Las Vegas sports teams with its weekly Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show this week and next.
Tomorrow night, Friday, July 11, members of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) dance team, the Scarlet Dance Line will be the guests of honor to ignite the fireworks from the TNT box at 9:15 p.m. at Carousel Bar. UNLV alumni and fans are encouraged to wear university gear to Carousel Bar, which will have a DJ starting at 7 p.m. and offer a special cocktail, the Rebel Rita, a frozen strawberry margarita made with Mi Campo Blanco, for the night.
Next Friday, July 18, the mascot for the Vegas Knight Hawks, Risk will be on hand as the TNT ignitor at Carousel Bar honoring the professional indoor football team that plays at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. A DJ will again be entertaining guests at Carousel Bar starting at 7 p.m.
Staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower every Friday at 9:15 p.m. from May through September, the public can watch the Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show for free from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the show for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue.
The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. Updates will be available on the Plaza’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The post Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
Latest News
Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18

The Plaza Hotel & Casino will honor two popular Las Vegas sports teams with its weekly Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show this week and next.
Tomorrow night, Friday, July 11, members of the University of Nevada Las Vegas (UNLV) dance team, the Scarlet Dance Line will be the guests of honor to ignite the fireworks from the TNT box at 9:15 p.m. at Carousel Bar. UNLV alumni and fans are encouraged to wear university gear to Carousel Bar, which will have a DJ starting at 7 p.m. and offer a special cocktail, the Rebel Rita, a frozen strawberry margarita made with Mi Campo Blanco, for the night.
Next Friday, July 18, the mascot for the Vegas Knight Hawks, Risk will be on hand as the TNT ignitor at Carousel Bar honoring the professional indoor football team that plays at Lee’s Family Forum in Henderson. A DJ will again be entertaining guests at Carousel Bar starting at 7 p.m.
Staged from the top of the Plaza’s South Tower every Friday at 9:15 p.m. from May through September, the public can watch the Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks Show for free from in front of the Plaza on Main Street, which will be closed to vehicular traffic during the show for viewing the fireworks from Carson Avenue to Ogden Avenue.
The Plaza’s fireworks will be dependent on weather conditions and are subject to change or cancellation. Updates will be available on the Plaza’s social media channels, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
The post Welcome to the Weekend Friday Fireworks at Plaza Hotel & Casino to celebrate UNLV Runnin’ Rebels on July 11 and Vegas Knight Hawks on July 18 appeared first on European Gaming Industry News.
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