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Although Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) has been around for more than a decade, it has only recently become incredibly popular, particularly among the younger generation. And with good reason: the game is incredibly addictive, rewarding, and—most importantly—fun to play!
In many FPS games (First Person Shooter), the goal is simply to kill as many enemies as possible. But in CS:GO, there are many different game modes and objectives. One of the most popular ones is betting. In this mode, players compete to estimate the round-time taken by an elite team of Counter-Terrorists (CTs) to neutralize a group of Terrorists (TGs) who are attempting to infiltrate a building or another team’s base. The goal is to be the first to get the other team’s flag inside the allotted time (or kill them all!).
This game mode’s uniqueness makes it stand out among the many other game modes in CS:GO. While some might argue that the traditional “kill everything in sight” approach is enough for some people, there are certainly others who enjoy an interactive, competitive experience and prefer to bet on their ability to accurately guess how long a given objective will take.
When will CS:GO betting become illegal?
Unwinnable Odds
One of the major differences between traditional sports and esports (short for electronic sports) is that the odds of winning often aren’t available. This becomes problematic when you consider that many esports fans follow their teams and want to bet on the results. But since the odds aren’t available for the vast majority of games, these fans are forced to place wagers on a game they’ve never heard of—and likely never will play. Inevitably, this leaves room for fraud.
If you’re a professional esports punter, this is quite the dilemma. You want to make sure you’ll get your money back if your team loses, but you also don’t want to bet on a game you don’t know how to play. In CS:GO’s case, this is exacerbated by the fact that few bookmakers offer odds on the game. As a result, you’re forced to look for other ways to get the data you need.
Illegal Gaming And Unfair Advantage
As exciting as it is to see gaming evolve and grow, there are some serious drawbacks that come with this growth. One of the biggest concerns is the fact that as gaming has become more professional and competitive, so have the techniques for improving one’s odds of winning. In the past, gaming was mostly done for fun, but now that so much is at stake, it’s all being done with a bit more strategy.
According to cybersecurity experts, when it comes to CS:GO and similar games, there are several methods that professionals use to gain an advantage over their competitors. From installing custom hardware to controlling the outcome of rounds, these cheating techniques are what allow professionals to level the playing field and make sure that games are always competitive and exciting to watch.
Even worse, some gaming insiders have alleged that not all players are created equal. Just because you’ve played a game for hundreds of hours doesn’t mean you’ll perform well in a professional capacity when tested by experts. In other words, the more you play, the more you’ll improve—but only at first. After a while, this trend will level off and you won’t be able to beat those who’ve played longer.
Pro-Gamers Vs. Average Joe’s
Although playing against hackers is one of the main appeals of esports, it’s not the only one. For some, the appeal is in being a pro at something. When you consider the fact that so many casual players have entered the mainstream of esports, this can potentially lead to some seriously underpaid professionals. Take, for example, the case of Richard “Titan” Pasqualetti, who currently earns around $60,000 USD per month as a professional Counter-Strike player. According to industry insiders, these types of salaries are entirely possible as long as the industry keeps growing. But will it keep growing?
It’s important to note here that while most pros will deny it, there is definitely a hierarchy within esports. According to insiders, the top earners typically belong to the North American division of esports, which favors Counter-Strike over other games, and the European Division, which favors Dota 2. So while pro-gamers can typically find work, the majority will always be looking for the best deal, which can sometimes be difficult to come by.
The Future Of Betting
With so much uncertainty around when and if CS:GO betting will be outlawed, those who enjoy competing and wagering on games might have to look for alternatives. Fortunately, new technologies allow for accurate, instant results without requiring any interaction from the user. While many older sports venues use a combination of the paper and pen method as well as instant-results mobile apps, future competitions might only require that you have a strong connection to the internet. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and big data makes this possible. Allowing you to place bets on games you’ve never played and aren’t even sure exist.
According to industry insiders, this is only the beginning. As more and more people are getting involved in esports and betting, innovative companies will continue to emerge.