Phant0ms of The Gambling Scene
In today’s CS:GO gambling news, another prominent Twitch figure has been exposed for deceptive, fraudulent, and exploitative practices. Richard Lewis, eSports Host & Journalist published a new video narrating and analyzing data given to him. In the video summed up, PhantomL0rd is pictured having conversations with alleged CSGOShuffle owner/founder.
It showed him asking for back-end data not accessible to users, essentially having the ability to rig bets, it also showed conversations with the alleged owner/founder of CSGOShuffle with PhantomL0rd sending payments, something regularly done to employee — not employers or “sponsored” figures. There’s a myriad of information that will be posted when available.
CSGOShuffle is an infamous but popular gambling site. PhantomL0rd is known for unboxing weapon skins or betting rather than playing games on stream, switching specifically to the CSGOShuffle website as his main platform for betting/gambling. Many assumed he had ties or an undisclosed sponsorship. No where on his videos was there a disclosure vocally or written in the description as the FTC requires, example below on one of his most popular CSGO gambling videos.
As I mentioned in my previous opinion write-up. There would be tons of figures who would come out voluntarily or those who would be exposed. It’s unfortunate that more figures aren’t coming out about their financial ties to the websites that are marketed and pushed as a “sponsored” front-end user. PhantomLord was one of the names published in the aforementioned video.
In addition “Faze guys” were brought up when associated with the CSGOWild website. A long-time rumored venture of some of the management team at- FaZe clan. Unfortunately when reaching out to Richard Lewis to take him up on the offer for sharing evidentiary material to analyze and break down the photos for this article, I wasn’t contacted back so I will proceed and update accordingly as the article is updated.
Walter sum things up — what do we know so far??
Tmartn owned CSGOlotto, Prosyndicate co-owner, JoshOG co-owner.
PhantomL0rd allegedly owns CSGOShuffle.
Members of FaZe clan allegedly own CSGOWild.
Skinfreak allegedly owns CSGOScratch, Fuzed allegedly co-owner.
But Walter that’s a small number why’s it a big deal?! It’s a small number of those who were exposed or those who came out. Lets remind everyone that there are many other streamers, youtube personalities, even eSports organizations who are rumored to have financial ties to sites of similar nature. In the coming weeks we’ll see more figures exposed as Valve has stated that they will interject and send out notifications to sites who do not discontinue using the API for steam integration.
It’s a vague statement but enough to have people close shop, already changing the ecosystem of how eSports in our neck of the woods work. It’s illegal. It’s putting the industry we love under the limelight, attracting lawmakers, malicious attacks and puts the many who have worked hard to legitimize it in disrepute. Work published from HonorTheCall, Richard Lewis and co. will help continue ensuring that this is known that it will not be allowed and it is not welcomed anymore in any shape, size or form.
In a follow up if/when I receive evidentiary material I will break down the transcript and other material available at the moment. As a disclaimer I have not gotten ahold of the material and have not verified via comment as PhantomL0rd or Joris (alleged CSGOShuffle owner/founder) if any of the logs are legitimate.
I am taking the word of Richard Lewis but I believe he has vetted the documents long enough to publish a video exposing the website and any alleged affiliations. The story is developing so you’ll see more mainstream outlets pick stories of similar narrative being picked up and aired.
—
Hi. I’m a consultancy owner. I deal with eSports, numbers, management and more. I occasionally write and bake awesome pies. This is an opinion piece that reflects on my ideology alone. Like my shitty writing or want to get in contact with me? Twitter @MellowWalt or email homeoffice@esportsrda.net
