With the 2018 NBA Finals between the Golden State Warriors and the Toronto Raptors just around the corner, sports fans are looking for ways to bet on the NBA Finals. The same goes for fans of Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) who are looking for ways to bet on their favourite esports game. With the NBA and the NHL seasons now over, sportsbooks are eager to get in on the action for the next big sporting event. And who is the best player in the world at the moment? Naturally, we have to go back to one of the biggest events of the year to find out. But before we get to the nitty-gritty of CS:GO betting, let’s take a step back and discuss what makes this game so appealing to sportsbooks, and especially to gamers who want to bet on it.
Mass Appeal
The first thing that comes to mind when you think of CS:GO is probably the name itself – Counter-Strike. Now, Counter-Strike is arguably the most popular FPS game in the world and for good reason. The game was first released in 1996 and was designed to be an online multiplayer game where gamers could practice their hand-eye coordination against other players while having fun with the competitive spirit of a game. The simplicity of the gameplay and the fact that it’s been around for so long meant that anyone could pick up the game and play right away. There was also a huge following of fans so much so that when the original multiplayer only support four players, the developers had to increase the maximum number of matches in order to maintain an even playing field. Since then, the game has grown to be a multi-billion-dollar revenue generator for its publishers and developers, Valve and Red Hook.
While the gameplay and popularity of Counter-Strike are enough to make it a worthwhile game to bet on, the fact that this is an esports game (with a huge following) means that there is even more potential for betting fans. Like any other esport, fans can follow the action live and watch the players’ performances via streaming platforms like Twitch. This provides unique opportunities for sportsbooks who want to get involved with esports betting, as they can set up shop either online or at a physical location and serve as a bookmaker for the game. Plus, as we mentioned above, there’s a large audience of esports fans who might be more inclined to visit a sportsbook rather than a regular online betting site, if only for the novelty of being able to place a bet on an “esport.”
Competitive Spirit
Another thing that makes CS:GO a popular game to bet on is its competitive spirit. Like the gameplay, the development of the competitive scene is also intertwined with the growth of the game itself. Due to the nature of the gameplay, all of the matches are relatively even and are largely determined by how well each player performs rather than by any hidden advantages or disadvantages. As a result, there is always the possibility of a upset victory, which makes for some interesting betting opportunities. If you’re a fan of competitive multiplayer games, then CS:GO is one you shouldn’t miss out on!
Action-Packed
As we’ve established above, the competitive scene of CS:GO is interesting because it’s extremely even compared to most other games. However, that doesn’t mean that the action is monotonous. In fact, when you’re looking for an easy way to bet on an action-packed game with a lot of movement and anticipation, then CS:GO is the perfect choice. The game is often compared to basketball due to the fact that the ball is constantly in the air and moving around, but the difference is that in basketball you’re only really looking at what the other players are doing on the court, while in CS:GO you’re also presented with graphics of the game’s environment. If you’re interested in betting on an esports game, then CS:GO is the answer.
Variety Of Games
Finally, we need to point out that while most esports will only have one or two games, CS:GO is notable for having a variety of games under one umbrella. The fact that the game has grown to be so popular and accessible means that there is a lot of opportunity for fans to get involved in gaming. As a result, this makes for a much wider variety of games that you can place a wager on. There are first-person shooters, role-playing games, and even some fighting games mixed in to the one match type that is standard fare for the genre. This gives you a greater opportunity to find an event that suits your tastes and interests. And isn’t that what makes gambling so attractive? Having more options is always better, regardless of whether you’re betting on sports or games.
Overall
When you add it all up, it’s easy to see why CS:GO is such a popular game to bet on and why it’s been around for so long while others have come and gone. If you’re looking for an easy way to place wagers on an action-packed game, then look no further than CS:GO. Not only is this game popular amongst gamers who want to bet on it, but it’s also been responsible for some of the biggest upsets in esports history, which certainly helps to make it an intriguing game to put on your poker/blackjack/roulette bedside table.