The case of Warasin, known by her nickname Tokyogurl, is attracting significant public attention in the region. After being caught violating competition rules and disqualified from SEA Games 33, the female player received a lifetime ban from both the organizers and the governing body.

Warasin Naraphat's cheating incident at SEA Games 33 caused a stir. Photo: Thaiger

According to Thethaiger, the incident raised questions about whether cheating at an international sporting event could lead to criminal prosecution, or even a prison sentence.

When Thethaiger inquired about the matter, many experts suggested that under normal circumstances, a criminal conviction would be unlikely. Using unauthorized auxiliary software or illegal intervention devices is considered a violation of competition rules, leading to disciplinary actions such as disqualification, forfeiture of achievements, or long-term bans.

Such penalties fall under the authority of event organizers and sports federations, not court rulings, and therefore do not provide sufficient grounds for imprisonment.

The possibility of criminal prosecution only arises if the act of cheating fully meets the elements of specific crimes under the law. One legal basis mentioned is the Professional Sports Promotion Act, which governs acts of match-fixing or falsifying competition results.

However, a crucial condition is proving the exchange or receipt of material benefits, such as money or betting profits. If cheating is solely aimed at winning, without evidence of financial transactions or tacit agreements, the likelihood of applying this law is very low.

Another approach involves the Computer Crime Act, but criminal prosecution also requires technical evidence demonstrating that the perpetrator illegally accessed, attacked, or damaged the event's server system. If the individual merely installed auxiliary software on a personal device without interfering with the central system, the basis for criminal charges is considered insufficient.

Nevertheless, lawyer Monchai Jongkairattanakul suggested a different legal perspective. He argued that if it can be proven that the athlete intentionally concealed the cheating to obtain benefits like medals or prize money, the act could be viewed as fraud, carrying a potential prison sentence of up to three years.

Under this analysis, while professional sports regulations typically apply to "match-fixing", cheating for the sole purpose of winning could be considered deceiving the organizers or the public.

Screenshot alleging Tokyogurl cheated in the match against Vietnam.

The Thai esports player reportedly installed software on her phone to automatically send screenshots to a third party, interfering with the match.

Another notable point is the responsibility of team members. The lawyer warned that if anyone knew or suspected cheating but remained silent, failing to report it to the coach or organizers, they could be considered an accomplice under the law.

In this context, the decision to withdraw the entire team from the tournament was deemed an early "loss-cutting" measure, aiming to avoid more severe legal consequences if the team had continued to compete and achieved success.

Tokyogurl's case remains at the level of the most severe sporting penalty in her career, with no signs of criminal prosecution yet. However, experts believe this serves as a clear warning to esports athletes: the line between violating competition rules and violating the law is very thin.

Proactively reporting misconduct upon detecting signs of cheating not only protects the integrity of the tournament but also helps individuals avoid the risk of criminal liability—a price that could be heavier than a competition ban.

Mr. Santi Lothong, President of the Thailand Esports Federation (TESF) and President of the Asian Esports Federation. Photo: PPTV

Tokyogurl, who played as a marksman in the Thai Mobile Alliance team, was found to have violated Article 9.4.3 of the Esports Technical Manual, which prohibits the use of unauthorized third-party software or interference with, or modification of, competition equipment during the match on 15/12.

On 18/12, Mr. Santi Lothong, President of the Thailand Esports Federation, confirmed he knew the identity of the person who played on behalf of Tokyogurl at SEA Games 33. According to him, there was clear technical evidence, from checking in-match behavior, screen sharing, to using Discord software to share the screen and control the match, with two accounts logged in simultaneously.

The organizers' IP system was set up for control, but the player's actual IP came from a different network, helping the federation track down the identity. President Santi stated that this person is a semi-pro athlete with high gaming skills, but the name has not yet been disclosed as organizers are still examining legal aspects.

Mr. Lothong emphasized that the Federation will conduct a thorough investigation to see if anyone else is involved and to restore the reputation of Thai esports. Any violations found will not be overlooked.

Hong Duy (according to Thethaiger, Sanook)