Terms & Conditions

By registering for or participating in a GameMasters competition, you confirm that you have read, understood and agreed to the following Terms & Conditions.

1. Introduction

These Terms & Conditions (“Terms”) govern registration and participation in competitions, tournaments, leagues, championships and other competitive events organised, promoted or administered by GameMasters (“GameMasters”, “we”, “us” or “our”).

By registering for, accepting a place in, entering, attending or participating in any GameMasters competition, a participant (“Player”, “Participant”, “you” or “your”) confirms that they have read, understood and agreed to be bound by these Terms, together with any competition-specific rules, fixture information and instructions issued by GameMasters.

Where a competition-specific rule conflicts with these general Terms, the competition-specific rule will apply to that competition to the extent of the conflict.

2. Eligibility and Registration

• Players must provide accurate, complete and current information during registration.
• A Player must not register using another person's identity or information, impersonate another participant, or deliberately provide false information.
• GameMasters may verify information supplied by a Player where reasonably necessary for the administration, integrity or security of a competition.
• Registration does not automatically guarantee participation until GameMasters has confirmed the Player's registration in accordance with the applicable competition procedure.
• GameMasters may reject, suspend or cancel a registration where there are reasonable grounds relating to eligibility, fraud, misconduct, inaccurate information, payment issues, competition integrity, safety or other legitimate competition-management concerns.
• A Player may be required to comply with additional competition-specific eligibility requirements.

3. Acceptance of the Competition Terms

• Participation in a GameMasters competition is conditional upon acceptance of these Terms.
• Where an online registration form contains an agreement checkbox, the Player must actively confirm acceptance before registration can be completed.
• By checking the acceptance box and submitting registration, the Player confirms that they have had an opportunity to read these Terms and understand that participation is subject to them.
• A Player who does not agree to these Terms must not register or participate in the competition.

4. Registration Fees and Payments

• Where a registration or participation fee is applicable, the amount displayed or officially communicated by GameMasters for the relevant competition is the fee applicable to that competition.
• By registering and paying, the Player confirms acceptance of the stated registration fee.
• The registration fee is a competition entry/participation fee and is not a deposit, investment or guaranteed-return payment.
• Unless GameMasters expressly announces otherwise, payment of a registration fee does not create any entitlement to receive money, merchandise or any other prize merely for participating.
• A Player who loses a match, fails to qualify, is eliminated, finishes below the winning position or otherwise fails to win the competition is not entitled to a refund merely because they did not win.
• A Player must not register on the assumption that losing or being eliminated will result in the return of their registration fee.
• Where GameMasters expressly announces a refund, alternative participation arrangement or other remedy for a particular circumstance, that specific announcement will govern that circumstance.
• Nothing in these Terms excludes any refund, remedy or legal protection that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable law.

5. Prizes, Recognition and Championship Status

• A GameMasters competition may or may not have a physical or monetary prize.
• A competition's reward may consist entirely or partly of winning the competition, being officially recognised as champion, ranking or league position, a trophy, medal or certificate, publicity or recognition, qualification for another competition, merchandise, money, or any other reward expressly announced by GameMasters.
• There is no requirement that every GameMasters competition must have a monetary or physical prize.
• Where GameMasters officially announces a specific prize or reward, the Player acknowledges that the announced prize or reward and its stated conditions constitute the applicable prize arrangement.
• Players must not assume, demand or claim an alternative, additional or higher-value prize that was not officially announced for that competition.
• Where a prize is subject to verification, eligibility requirements or other stated conditions, those conditions must be satisfied before the prize is awarded.
• GameMasters reserves the right to withhold a prize where there is credible evidence that the relevant Player obtained eligibility through fraud, cheating, match manipulation or other serious violation of these Terms, subject to applicable law and any applicable review process.

6. Fixtures and Attendance

• Players are responsible for knowing and attending their scheduled fixtures.
• A Player must arrive at the designated venue and be available to play at the scheduled time, subject to any officially communicated changes.
• A Player who fails to appear for a scheduled fixture without an approved reason may forfeit the fixture.
• Where the competition format awards three points for a fixture win, an absent Player may forfeit the fixture and the opposing Player may receive the applicable three points.
• GameMasters may establish reasonable procedures for lateness, postponement, rescheduling and exceptional circumstances.
• A Player must not deliberately avoid a fixture in order to manipulate the standings, assist another Player or obtain any improper advantage.

7. Postponements, Rescheduling and Fixture Changes

• GameMasters may alter a fixture date, time, venue, table assignment or other logistical arrangement where reasonably necessary.
• Changes may be made because of venue availability, safety concerns, technical problems, weather, scheduling conflicts, emergencies, competition administration or other legitimate circumstances.
• Players must comply with officially communicated fixture changes.
• A Player must not independently alter or agree to permanently change an official fixture without approval from the authorised GameMasters administrator.
• Where a postponement or rescheduling is approved, GameMasters will determine the applicable replacement arrangements.

8. Fair Play and Competition Integrity

GameMasters competitions are based on genuine competition and fair play.

A Player must not:

• deliberately lose or underperform in a match;
• fix, manipulate or pre-determine a match result;
• agree in advance with another Player on who will win or lose;
• manipulate scores, boxes, statistics, standings or other competition records;
• intentionally concede points or games for an improper purpose;
• collude with another Player to influence qualification, elimination or league position;
• accept or offer money, gifts, favours or other benefits in exchange for influencing a competition result;
• manipulate a result for the benefit of a gambler, bettor, bookmaker or other third party;
• use inside or confidential competition information for an improper betting or gambling purpose; or
• assist, encourage, facilitate or conceal any of the conduct described above.

Any suspected competition-integrity violation may be investigated by GameMasters.

9. Gambling and Betting

• Gambling and betting activities are prohibited at GameMasters competition venues unless GameMasters expressly authorises a particular activity in writing.
• Players must not bet on their own matches or arrange for another person to bet on their behalf.
• Players must not participate in, encourage, facilitate or assist betting connected with the manipulation of a GameMasters competition.
• A Player who engages in prohibited gambling, betting or betting-related misconduct may be removed from the competition venue and may face disciplinary action, including suspension, forfeiture, disqualification or a ban.
• A Player is solely responsible for their own unlawful or prohibited gambling or betting activities.
• Nothing in these Terms is intended to authorise conduct prohibited by Nigerian law or any other applicable law.

10. Cheating and Unfair Advantage

Players must compete honestly. Prohibited conduct includes:

• using unauthorised assistance during a match;
• deliberately falsifying competition information;
• impersonating another Player;
• manipulating or interfering with GameMasters systems, records or databases;
• exploiting a known technical or administrative error for an improper advantage;
• submitting false evidence or information;
• tampering with match records; and
• assisting another Player to obtain an unfair advantage.

11. Player Conduct and Sportsmanship

• Players must conduct themselves respectfully and responsibly.
• Physical violence, fighting, threats or intimidation are strictly prohibited.
• Harassment, bullying, abusive or seriously disruptive behaviour is prohibited.
• Players must not deliberately provoke violence or disorder.
• Players must not damage competition or venue property.
• Players must respect opponents, officials, spectators, venue staff and other persons present at the competition.
• Discriminatory, hateful or threatening abuse is prohibited.
• Conduct that creates a serious safety risk to Players, officials, spectators or other persons is prohibited.

GameMasters may remove a person from a competition venue immediately where reasonably necessary for safety, security or orderly competition.

12. Respect for GameMasters Officials and Administrators

• Players must respect GameMasters management, match administrators, match commissioners, officials, venue staff and other authorised representatives.
• Players must comply with reasonable instructions relating to matches, venue safety, scheduling and competition administration.
• A Player may raise a legitimate complaint or disagreement through the appropriate GameMasters procedure.
• Abuse, threats, intimidation or harassment of GameMasters personnel is prohibited.
• Decisions made by GameMasters management, authorised match administrators and match commissioners in the administration of a competition are final and binding within the competition, subject only to any review or appeal process expressly provided by GameMasters or required by applicable law.

13. Public Statements and Social Media

• GameMasters recognises that Players may have opinions, criticism or feedback concerning competitions.
• Players must not use threats, harassment, intimidation, knowingly false allegations presented as fact, impersonation or malicious campaigns against GameMasters, its officials, Players or partners.
• A Player must not deliberately publish or circulate false information intended to seriously damage the integrity or reputation of a competition or another participant.
• Legitimate criticism, complaints and good-faith opinions are not prohibited merely because they are negative.
• Serious misconduct occurring outside the competition venue may be considered where it has a direct and material connection to GameMasters, a competition, another participant or the safety or integrity of the competition.

14. Investigations and Evidence

• GameMasters may investigate suspected breaches of these Terms or competition rules.
• Investigations may consider relevant and reasonably reliable evidence, including match records, official reports, photographs or video, communications, witness accounts, digital records, payment records and other relevant information lawfully obtained.
• Players may be required to provide reasonable cooperation during an investigation.
• Where appropriate, GameMasters may temporarily suspend a Player from participation while a serious allegation is being investigated.
• Any disciplinary decision should be based on the information reasonably available to GameMasters and handled in accordance with applicable rules and law.

15. Disciplinary Action and Sanctions

Depending on the seriousness and circumstances of a violation, GameMasters may impose one or more appropriate sanctions, including:

• Verbal or written warning.
• Official reprimand.
• Match forfeiture.
• Loss or deduction of points.
• Cancellation of a result where competition rules permit.
• Suspension from one or more matches.
• Removal from the competition venue.
• Disqualification from the competition.
• Withdrawal or withholding of competition recognition or prizes where legally permissible.
• Suspension from future GameMasters competitions.
• Permanent exclusion from GameMasters competitions in serious or repeated cases.

The seriousness of the conduct, previous violations, effect on the competition and other relevant circumstances may be considered when determining an appropriate sanction.

16. Safety and Venue Rules

• Players must comply with reasonable venue safety rules.
• Players must not bring prohibited or dangerous items into competition areas.
• GameMasters may remove any person whose conduct presents a reasonable safety or security risk.
• GameMasters may suspend, postpone or terminate a match or event where continuing would create an unacceptable safety risk.

17. Media, Photography and Competition Content

• GameMasters may photograph, record or otherwise document competitions for legitimate competition administration, archival, promotional and publicity purposes, subject to applicable law.
• A Player participating in a public competition understands that they may appear incidentally or prominently in competition-related photographs or recordings.
• GameMasters may use competition-related content, including match footage, photographs, player names, usernames, scores and standings, for legitimate GameMasters purposes.
• Any use of personal information will remain subject to the GameMasters Privacy Notice and applicable data-protection law.

18. Personal Information

• GameMasters may collect personal information reasonably necessary to register Players, administer competitions, process payments, communicate with Players, maintain records and fulfil competition-related obligations.
• Players are responsible for ensuring that information supplied to GameMasters is accurate.
• Personal information will be handled in accordance with the applicable GameMasters Privacy Notice and Nigerian data-protection requirements.
• Players may contact GameMasters through the designated contact channels regarding questions concerning their personal information.

19. Competition Format and Rules

• GameMasters may establish different formats for different competitions, including leagues, cycles, knockout stages, championships and other formats.
• Each competition may have additional rules covering scoring, points, fixtures, qualification, tie-breakers, postponements, match procedures and other matters.
• Players must comply with the rules applicable to the competition in which they participate.
• GameMasters may make reasonable administrative clarifications where necessary to ensure consistent application of competition rules.

20. Changes to Competitions

• GameMasters may reasonably modify schedules, venues, formats, fixtures, competition procedures or other arrangements where circumstances require.
• Such circumstances may include venue availability, safety or security concerns, technical problems, emergencies, unforeseen circumstances, administrative requirements, or circumstances affecting the integrity or proper operation of the competition.
• Where a material change significantly affects participation, GameMasters will provide reasonable notice where practicable.

21. Cancellation or Termination of a Competition

• GameMasters may cancel, suspend or terminate a competition where circumstances reasonably require it.
• Such circumstances may include safety concerns, venue problems, insufficient participation, technical failures, emergencies, legal requirements, force majeure events or circumstances that materially compromise competition integrity.
• Where a competition is cancelled, GameMasters will communicate any applicable refund, transfer, replacement competition or other arrangement in accordance with the circumstances and applicable law.

22. Force Majeure and Circumstances Beyond Control

GameMasters will not be responsible for failure or delay caused by circumstances reasonably beyond its control, including natural disasters, serious security incidents, government restrictions, public emergencies, venue closure, infrastructure failure, telecommunications or payment-service disruptions, or other comparable events.

Where reasonably possible, GameMasters will seek to provide an alternative arrangement.

23. Complaints and Disputes

• Players should first raise competition-related complaints with GameMasters through the designated official communication channel.
• Complaints should be made promptly and include sufficient information for GameMasters to understand and investigate the matter.
• Players must not use violence, threats, harassment or disruptive conduct to resolve a disagreement.
• GameMasters may establish a reasonable internal review process for competition disputes.
• Nothing in these Terms is intended to remove rights or remedies that cannot lawfully be excluded under applicable law.

24. Limitation of Responsibility

• Players participate in competitions voluntarily and are responsible for complying with these Terms and applicable law.
• GameMasters will take reasonable measures to administer competitions safely and fairly.
• To the extent permitted by applicable law, GameMasters will not be responsible for losses arising solely from circumstances outside its reasonable control.
• Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability where such exclusion or limitation is prohibited by law, including liability that cannot legally be excluded.

25. No Waiver

A failure by GameMasters to enforce a provision of these Terms on one occasion does not constitute a permanent waiver of that provision or prevent GameMasters from enforcing it on another occasion.

26. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful or unenforceable, that provision will be treated as modified or removed to the minimum extent necessary, and the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.

27. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with applicable competition-specific rules, official competition announcements and the GameMasters Privacy Notice, constitute the principal terms governing participation in the relevant GameMasters competition.

28. Governing Law

These Terms shall be interpreted and applied in accordance with the applicable laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, subject to any mandatory legal rights or jurisdictional requirements that apply.

29. Player Acknowledgement

By checking the acceptance box during registration, the Player confirms that:

• They have read and understood these Terms.
• They voluntarily agree to comply with them.
• They understand that registration fees are competition participation fees and are not automatically refundable because they lose or are eliminated.
• They understand that a competition may have no monetary or physical prize.
• They accept the officially announced prize or reward applicable to the competition.
• They understand the attendance and fixture-forfeiture rules.
• They agree not to fix, manipulate or deliberately lose matches.
• They understand that prohibited gambling and betting-related conduct may result in disciplinary action.
• They agree to conduct themselves respectfully.
• They accept the authority of GameMasters management, match administrators and match commissioners within the competition framework.
• They understand that serious violations may result in suspension, forfeiture, disqualification or exclusion from GameMasters competitions.