The Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) franchise is one of the most popular games in the world. It was originally released in 2002, and since then it has continued to grow in popularity each year. It is currently one of the most played online games across all gaming platforms – from mobile phones to desktops – with over 100 million downloads. It’s also one of the most popular eSports (professional-gaming) titles, with some estimates putting its audience at over one billion views per month.
While the game itself may be old, the esports scene in CSGO is still growing, and new leagues and events are being added to the calendar each year. With such enduring popularity and constant innovation, it’s only natural that eSports enthusiasts, gamblers, and investors may want to take a closer look at playing, betting on, and investing in this exciting and emerging niche.
The Growth of eSports As We Know It
Not too long ago, watching sports games and playing sports games in general were the primary way that people enjoyed and engaged with video games. While it’s still common to see gamers sitting down to play titles such as Hearthstone or Dota 2, the scenes are increasingly becoming spectacles viewed and enjoyed by people who aren’t necessarily involved in the action.
The growth of eSports as a whole can be attributed to a number of factors. For one, the technology has come a long way since the days of Pong, letting viewers follow live tournaments played by professional gamers around the world in high-definition. The global games market is also booming, with companies such as Amazon, Google, and Microsoft investing heavily in eSports in order to gain a competitive edge over their rivals.
The Growth of eSports As An Investor’s Niche
Even outside of sports games, it’s become commonplace to see gamers sit down to play. Whether it’s a mobile phone game like Pokémon Go or a PC game like Hearthstone, there are now billions of devices out there that allow for gaming – whether it’s competitively or for fun. What’s more is many of these games let you bet on your performance, meaning that you can make money playing as long as you know how to. This is helping to create a whole new market of gamers who may, one day, become professional players.
The fact that many games these days are either free to play or dominated by microtransactions, which allow for in-game purchases, means that there’s always going to be a market for gamers who want to make money playing. It’s now easier than ever for aspiring eSports players to get started, with huge tournaments being televised and open to the public thanks to dedicated websites and social media platforms.
Why Are Gamblers Interested In CSGO?
Gamblers are always looking for new things to bet on, especially since traditional sports betting is legal in many countries, while online sports betting is entirely unregulated. This has led to websites such as CSGO Bets allowing amateur and professional gamblers to wager on all kinds of games, including eSports. Betting on a game you know well, such as Counter-Strike, can be a safer and more profitable option for the average gambler. Plus, with betting comes a psychological element that can be difficult to quantify. Are you sure that your Dota 2 strategy is going to work? Better to find out after you’ve wagered a few hundred dollars on it!
Which Format To Watch?
There are now dozens of different ways in which people can watch eSports and other gaming events. Whether you want to tune in to a live stream, catch a game on your phone or tablet, or catch a match on TV, there’s always going to be a way for you to follow your favorite teams/players. The choice is yours. And since many streaming services offer free trials, there’s never any reason to not give it a try.
The Growth Of Esports As An Entertainment Option
Just like with traditional sports teams, fans can now get behind the cause that they love through their entertainment. Whether you’re a fan of Overwatch, which is currently the most subscribed-to game on the Steam platform with over 25 million monthly active users, or of Counter-Strike, the OG of the Call of Duty franchise and one of the most popular games of all time, there’s plenty to choose from when it comes to e-sports. Many people now attend games as a form of entertainment, rather than simply as a competitive sport, and this trend is only going to continue.
The fact that so many people now love to watch sports (especially American sports) and play games as a form of entertainment, coupled with the fact that many live tournaments are open to the public, means that there’s always going to be an audience for gaming events. This is especially true in the U.S., where competitive gaming is becoming a serious sport with national teams and leagues. If you’re looking for a way to unwind and enjoy the game you love, you can always tune in to one of these events and root for your favorite team.
If that’s not your style, you can always head online to one of the many specialized websites that allow for the creation of user-generated content, or find a fellow fan and discuss all things gaming with them. Chances are, there’s someone out there who loves your favorite game as much as you do, and might be willing to talk shop with you about it!