时间:2025-04-04 04:38:59 来源:网络整理编辑:熱點
Counter-Strikegambling is disappearing from the internet. Quickly.SEE ALSO:Esports creeping beyond l
Counter-Strikegambling is disappearing from the internet. Quickly.
SEE ALSO:Esports creeping beyond livestreams and onto TV networksAfter a number of questionable Counter-Strike: Global Offensivegambling websites were exposed as being rigged and illegally advertised by owners, one site said CS:GOdeveloper Valve had started sending out cease and desist letters to nearly two dozen gambling sites.
CS:GOgambling site CSGOBig.com tweeted that it is shutting down temporarily at the request of Valve, pointing to a link that contains a copy of the company's letter. The letter contains the names of 23 other gambling sites, and one of them is associated with another Valve property, Dota 2.
Valve did not confirm to Mashablethat it sent out cease and desist letters, but the company released a statement on July 13 saying it would be sending out notices to offending websites.
Tweet may have been deleted
The letter states that site owners are using Steam accounts in a way that violates the Steam Subscriber Agreement, specifically by using Steam accounts for commercial purposes. In Valve's earlier release, a spokesperson for Valve said the sites were using automated Steam accounts to conduct business, a use of bots that Steam prohibits.
There are two types of gambling in the CS:GO community: weapon skin gambling and match gambling. Match gambling works like any other sport: gamblers put money or weapon skins down on which team they think will win a match and win or lose based on outcomes.
The other type, weapon skin gambling, is much more complicated. Weapon skins are purely-aesthetic upgrades earned or purchased in CS:GOthat can be traded or sold in Valve's Steam marketplace. Some gambling sites allow users to put their skins on the line against other players, and the website picks a random (or not-so-random) winner who takes home the pot.
Some of these rare skins can fetch several hundreds dollars on the marketplace.
The websites have been getting away with their activity because gamblers aren't exchanging money, they're exchanging skins. But now Valve is cracking down, possibly thanks to the exposure of a number of shady gambling site owners.
In early July, two prominent YouTubers known for their Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gambling videos were exposed as the owners of the same gambling site they positively advertised. By not disclosing that they owned the gambling website CSGOLotto.com, they were in violation of Federal Trade Commission's endorsement guidelines.
When the duo was exposed for its shady business, YouTuber h3h3Productions brought up the fact that minors could have easily been gambling thousands of dollars worth of skins.
Polygonspoke to several CS:GOgamblers under 18 who admitted to gambling by using their parents' or grandparents' credit cards and spending thousands of dollars to keep playing.
Following the CSGOLotto controversy, CS:GOanalyst and reporter Richard Lewis released a video exposing the website CSGOShuffle.com for rigging bets for the financial gain of supposed-owner James "Phantoml0rd" Varga.
Phantoml0rd was banned from Twitch after Lewis's report and the enactment of Twitch's new rules against gambling streams.
Valve's release came out between the CSGOLotto controversy and the CSGOShuffle controversy. The company has now taken action against many major gambling sites, not just the ones that were involved in these scandals.
As soon as the lifespan of CS:GOgambling sites came into question, a chunk of the CScommunity grew worried.
Some of the sites receiving cease and desist letters are also popular skin-trading sites, which allow users to exchange skins with no gambling involved. While they don't necessarily need to stop acting as trading sites, the loss of gambling profits may force some of the sites to close.
None of the contactable sites listed in the cease and desist letter replied to requests for comment.
The CS:GO scene could take a pretty big hit if enough gamblers stopped watching
Because weapon skins are a big part of CS:GO's appeal, the loss of these websites could be followed by the loss of many players and viewers. Exactly how many is unclear, but some viewers may only tune in to certain games because they enjoy betting on them.
If the number of CS:GOdropouts is significant, some of the smaller professional tournaments throughout the year may lose vital viewers and be less appealing to advertisers. Tournaments may cease, and the CS:GOscene might take a pretty big hit.
Just how many would actually stop watching is impossible to determine, but there is likely to be at least a small reduction in viewership.
On the Counter-Strike: Global Offensivesubreddit, some users have stated that it would be better for the community if the gamblers left.
"Let viewership drop and let CS:GOexist on it's (sic) merit as a great competitive game," user literallydontcaree wrote. "If that's not enough then oh well."
Have something to add to this story? Share it in the comments.
TopicsEsportsGaming
The Weeknd teases new music in Instagram post2025-04-04 04:25
Guy crying during an interview for his dream job teaches us a very important lesson2025-04-04 03:41
The Boston Red Sox used Apple Watches to cheat against the Yankees, report says2025-04-04 03:38
Everything you need to know about using Instagram's archive feature2025-04-04 03:13
Airbnb activates disaster response site for Louisiana flooding2025-04-04 03:13
YouTube speeds up live streaming for creators with 'ultra2025-04-04 03:04
She threw her poop out the window. Then her Tinder date really went off the rails.2025-04-04 03:00
This guy turned a joke on Twitter into a fundraiser and a published book. What have you done today?2025-04-04 02:52
Tourist survives for month in frozen New Zealand wilderness after partner dies2025-04-04 02:12
She threw her poop out the window. Then her Tinder date really went off the rails.2025-04-04 01:53
Early Apple2025-04-04 04:19
The Boston Red Sox used Apple Watches to cheat against the Yankees, report says2025-04-04 03:50
These stock photos put rescue animals center frame2025-04-04 03:40
Former Mexican president slams Trump over DACA in brutal video2025-04-04 03:35
Felix the cat just raised £5000 for charity because she's the hero we all need2025-04-04 03:22
Hurricane Irma's forecasted to hit Mar2025-04-04 02:44
You can now pay for fried chicken by just scanning your face2025-04-04 02:43
Even the 12 best jobs in tech have terrible gender and race wage gaps2025-04-04 02:25
Tesla's rumored P100D could make Ludicrous mode even more Ludicrous2025-04-04 02:05
Zayn Malik is bald now, and fans are in deep, deep mourning2025-04-04 01:57