BETBY Becomes First Organisation to Receive ESIC’s CPU v CPU Gold Standard

BETBY has become the first organisation to receive the CPU v CPU Gold Standard accreditation from the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC). The award is the first application of a framework designed to assess safeguards behind automated esports competitions whose results are supplied to betting markets.

ESIC announced the accreditation on 12 November 2026. It followed an on-site audit, an assessment of additional evidence and an independent audit review conducted in August 2026. ESIC said BETBY met the applicable requirements within the assessed scope. BETBY has also committed to annual audit reviews as part of maintaining the award.

A standard designed for automated competitions

ESIC introduced the CPU v CPU Gold Standard on 29 October 2026. It sets out 17 areas of mandatory controls for automated esports competitions connected to betting markets. The requirements cover the systems used to generate and validate match results, the infrastructure that operates them and the people authorised to run or change them.

In CPU v CPU formats, software controls the competing participants. This creates integrity considerations that differ from competitions in which human players directly determine every action. Operators and suppliers need to establish which software and configuration were used, who approved changes and whether a match ran under the declared conditions.

The Gold Standard addresses these questions through technical and organisational controls. Its coverage includes model governance, application architecture, deployment procedures, code changes, identity and access management, infrastructure security, monitoring, audit records, data protection and incident response. The objective is to make match-critical systems more transparent and capable of independent review.

What the accreditation confirms

ESIC identified BETBY as the first organisation to complete the assessment and receive the Gold Standard. The announcement confirms that the applicable requirements were met within the scope reviewed. The accreditation should be understood in relation to the operations covered by that assessment, not as a blanket evaluation of every product or business activity associated with BETBY.

For operators and partners, the assessment offers a reference point for reviewing controls behind automated esports content. It does not replace their own due diligence or any applicable licensing obligations.

Stephen Hanna, Chief Executive Officer of ESIC, said the standard translates questions about software operation and accountability into specific requirements.

“When software determines how a competition unfolds, confidence depends on knowing what ran, who could change it and what evidence is available if something goes wrong. The CPU v CPU Gold Standard turns those questions into specific requirements for the technology and for the organisation responsible for it.

The framework gives the industry a practical basis for independent scrutiny, from the version used in a match to the controls around deployment, access and incident response. BETBY is the first organisation to receive the accreditation following that assessment. Its certification is an important first application of the Standard, with continuing compliance and cooperation with ESIC central to the award. We congratulate BETBY on taking this step to reinforce the importance of competitive integrity within its operations.”

BETBY points to the importance of evolving oversight

Ilze Ramolina, General Counsel at BETBY, welcomed the expanded scope of ESIC’s certification framework. Her comments highlighted the need for integrity controls to develop alongside new formats and products entering the esports market.

“We were very pleased to see ESIC broaden the scope of its certification framework with the introduction of the CPU v CPU Gold Standard. As the market evolves and new forms of esports content emerge, integrity oversight and control frameworks have to evolve with them.

At BETBY, we believe innovation should be matched by the same level of ambition when it comes to trust, transparency and accountability. By working within a framework specifically designed for this type of content, we can give our partners greater confidence while also helping set higher expectations for proprietary esports across the industry. Ultimately, that is what will support a more trusted and sustainable future for esports betting.”

The remarks highlight why automated competitions need verifiable safeguards. Stakeholders may need assurance about the software version, configuration and access rights behind a competition, not only the result it produces.

What comes next for the industry

ESIC has encouraged other providers serving betting markets with automated competitions to seek independent assessment. Wider adoption could create more consistent expectations and help operators compare suppliers’ documented controls.

Annual reviews matter because systems change. Updates to models, infrastructure and access permissions can introduce new risks or make earlier audit evidence less representative.

The Gold Standard sits alongside local regulation and other technical assurance measures. The UK Gambling Commission publishes its remote gambling and software technical standards, while the ISO/IEC 27001 information security standard provides wider guidance on information-security management. The International Betting Integrity Association’s betting integrity monitoring and the International Esports Federation’s code of conduct address related integrity issues from other perspectives.

Conclusion

BETBY’s accreditation is a significant first step in the application of ESIC’s CPU v CPU Gold Standard. The August assessment combined an on-site audit, further evidence review and independent scrutiny, with the award applying to the requirements covered by the assessed scope.

For automated esports and betting, the central issue is how to demonstrate that match outcomes are supported by controlled, traceable systems. ESIC’s 17-area framework provides a defined basis for examining those safeguards, while BETBY’s commitment to annual review adds an ongoing element to the process. Its wider impact will depend on consistent application and meaningful independent assessment as the technology develops.

FAQs

What is the ESIC CPU v CPU Gold Standard?
The CPU v CPU Gold Standard is an integrity framework developed by the Esports Integrity Commission. It establishes mandatory technical and organisational controls for automated esports competitions whose results are supplied to betting markets.

Why has BETBY received attention from ESIC?
BETBY became the first organisation to receive the CPU v CPU Gold Standard accreditation after completing an on-site audit, submitting additional evidence and undergoing an independent audit review.

When did ESIC announce the accreditation?
ESIC officially announced BETBY’s accreditation on 12 November 2026.

When was BETBY assessed for the Gold Standard?
The assessment process took place in August 2026 and included an on-site audit, an assessment of additional evidence and an independent audit review.

How many mandatory control areas does the Gold Standard contain?
The framework establishes 17 mandatory control areas covering technical systems, supporting infrastructure and the personnel authorised to operate or modify those systems.

What does CPU v CPU mean in esports?
CPU v CPU refers to automated competitions in which software controls the competing participants. These formats require specific safeguards to establish how match outcomes are generated and validated.

Who is Stephen Hanna?
Stephen Hanna is the Chief Executive Officer of the Esports Integrity Commission. He highlighted the importance of independent scrutiny and accountability in automated esports competitions.

Who is Ilze Ramolina?
Ilze Ramolina is the General Counsel at BETBY. She welcomed ESIC’s expanded framework and highlighted the importance of maintaining integrity controls as esports products evolve.

Does the accreditation cover every BETBY product and business activity?
The accreditation confirms that BETBY met the applicable requirements within the scope assessed. It should not be interpreted as a blanket assessment of every product or business activity associated with the company.

Will BETBY undergo further assessments?
BETBY has committed to annual audit reviews as part of maintaining the accreditation. This provides an ongoing review element as its relevant systems and operations develop.