The Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC) has launched its CPU v CPU Gold Standard, a technical and operational integrity framework designed specifically for automated esports competitions whose match outcomes supply betting markets.
Announced on 29 October 2026, the standard establishes 17 mandatory control areas governing the systems that generate match results, the underlying hosting infrastructure, and the personnel authorised to operate or modify them.
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The framework addresses the unique integrity risks of automated competitions, where software controls participants and unseen code modifications can alter competitive environments, by establishing tailored requirements across three distinct decision pathways. For locally deployed machine-learning models, operators must cryptographically sign and verify model artifacts prior to execution and enforce dual-person authorisation for deployment.
For externally hosted large language model (LLM) APIs, the framework mandates ESIC-approved providers, pinned model identifiers, timestamped call logging, disabled external web retrieval, and the strict prohibition of rolling “latest” aliases. For deterministic or rules-based algorithms, exact build versions and artifact hashes must be logged, with code reviews specifically examining for hidden triggers or dormant conditional logic.
Across all software pathways, ESIC mandates complete lifecycle automation during live matches, strictly prohibiting manual human intervention while requiring logical data-consistency checks and automatic suspension triggers for technical anomalies. Operating organisations must implement centralised identity management, multi-factor authentication, default-deny firewalls, and strict environment separation. Furthermore, infrastructure maintenance requires weekly vulnerability scanning, risk-based patching deadlines, and no unmitigated critical security vulnerabilities.
“This accreditation gives organisers and other stakeholders a recognised standard to work towards, while helping audiences, partners and the wider esports community have greater confidence in the competitions they follow. We look forward to working with the industry as the standard is adopted and contributes to a more consistent, transparent and credible CPU vs CPU ecosystem,” stated Stephen Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of ESIC.
To achieve accreditation, operators must undergo independent audit reviews, maintain continuous compliance, and actively participate in ESIC’s Suspicious Betting Alert Network. More information can be found at ESIC’s website. At the time of writing, BETBY is the only accredited organiser under the ESIC Esports Platform Gold Standard for automated CPU vs CPU esports betting platforms.
