The ILG prize money scandal remains one of the most damaging events in Indian esports — yet today, almost no one talks about it. What began as a nationwide competitive circuit filled with hype, sponsors, and massive participation quietly deteriorated into one of the country’s largest unpaid tournament controversies. And as usual, the outrage died, the story was buried, and the players who won never received what they were promised.

This is a complete breakdown of what happened, how much money ILG failed to pay, which games were affected, and why this scandal faded without accountability.
What Exactly Was the ILG Scam?

ILG (Indian LAN Gaming) ran as a multi-city esports circuit with tournaments hosted across India. It presented itself as a major opportunity for competitive gamers, backed by recognizable global brands and featuring multiple popular titles.

However, soon after the events concluded, dozens of winners began reporting the same issue:

The prize money never arrived.

Players and teams waited months.
Then a year.
Then even longer.

Many of them still haven’t been paid to this day.

How Much Prize Money Was Never Paid?

The confirmed unpaid prize money from one ILG season alone crossed:

₹5,00,000 (five lakh rupees)

This number came directly from players who publicly disclosed their winnings and the amounts they were owed.

But that figure was only from one phase of the circuit.

When you include:

• multi-event winners,
• unpaid matches from later seasons,
• and players who never went public,

the real total almost certainly crosses:

₹10–15 lakh or more.

The Sponsor Angle That Raised Eyebrows

What made the ILG scandal even more shocking was the presence of major global brands displayed prominently at the events:

• Intel
• Logitech
• Monster Energy
• JioGames

These names appeared on posters, stages, announcements, and promotions, giving ILG strong credibility and trust.

But when the prize money controversy began:

• No statement was issued
• No clarification was made
• No explanation of involvement was offered

The sponsors remained silent, and the community was left confused and unsupported.

Why This Scam Was Forgotten

Indian esports has a short memory.
Once the initial noise fades, so does public interest.

ILG followed the usual pattern:

1. Players complain
2. Community outrage
3. News coverage
4. A few heated posts
5. Everyone moves on
6. Nothing gets fixed

And the ones who suffer are the people who put in the work, made the top positions, and earned their winnings honestly.

Why This Story Needs to Be Remembered

ILG is more than an old controversy.
It’s a reminder of how vulnerable players are in an unregulated esports environment.

Scams like this continue unless the community keeps them alive, documents them, and demands accountability.

For every player who trained, traveled, and competed — only to be left unpaid, this story matters.

For future organizers who want to build trust, this history matters.

For India’s esports ecosystem, this lesson matters.