One of the most anticipated StarCraft 2 tournaments is just around the corner, with the world's best players getting ready to fight for their share of $500,000 in prize money.
A legendary esports event, the Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) Katowice is a CS:GO tournament held in Poland. In this guide, we'll go over all the participating teams, details about the schedule, as well as everything you need to know about IEM CS:GO betting!
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The LEC (League of Legends European Championship) is entering a new decade starting with the inaugural Winter split. From team rosters to an all-new tournament format, the league will be seeing much more competition.
Skin betting has existed in the industry for quite some time, with this form of gambling is the most popular for CS:GO. Our guide below has everything you need to know, including the top CS:GO skin betting sites, a useful list of dos and don'ts – and much more!
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CS:GO skin betting is extremely popular, attributed to the fact that skins in this game have become something more than just an aesthetic addition. Other factors include the rarity of valuable skins and also the wide visual variety, among which you'll find cosmetic-weapon skins, gloves, knives, spray tags, weapon cases, and stickers.
If you have skins in your Steam Inventory, you can easily transfer them to your preferred skin betting site and use them to bet with.
There are many third-party websites for CS:GO skin betting. However, before signing up to such platforms, be sure to check out online reviews from other customers to be sure of their credibility. To make things easier for you, we have shortlisted some of our favourites below.
CSGOEmpire is a site totally dedicated to CS:GO where you can find plenty of skin collections. Thanks to its popularity, there are over 5 million users, which increases the market range. The skin withdrawal system here operates through peer-to-peer trading, which is a safe and fast option; however, bear in mind that that you cannot make actual money withdrawals. Games available include roulette and match betting, as well as coin flip options.
Duelbits is another reputable CS:GO skin betting platform that is crypto-based, and was launched in 2020. Although relatively new, the bookmaker has become a favorite among many esports punters, with a wide range of betting markets and competitive odds. Other features include both cash out and bet builder options.
Although the site predominantly accepts cryptocurrency, you can also deposit via conventional methods such as Mastercard, Skrill, and paysafecard. Of course, CS:GO skins are also accepted.
Launched in 2016 – when skin gambling was at its peak – Hellcase has remained relevant over the years despite the changes that the industry has undergone, and is still one of the top skin betting sites online.
In addition to CS:GO skin betting, the site also hosts several other gambling activities such as case opening, case battles, contracts, and mixers, along with both Dota 2 and Rust skin betting.
Also founded in 2016, CSGORoll is a peer-to-peer skin betting platform that offers a range of game cosmetics, ranging from knives to AWPs. The variety of games available include Roll, Crash, Plinko, and Case Battles.
Conventional payment methods and cryptocurrencies are accepted, together with the option to deposit your skins directly from your Steam account. Meanwhile, skin withdrawals can be traded directly into your Steam account.
Unlike most conventional skin gambling sites, Gamdom offers a wide range of esports, including LoL, Overwatch, and Rocket League, as well as a vast array of matches and features that include cash out and a bet builder. There are several games suitable for skin betting such as crash, roulette, and Hilo.
‘Skins' are digital objects in a game that helps change the visual outlook of in-game items, and can be used on the player's character or on their weapons. While skins do not enhance the player’s abilities, they improve your aesthetics and visual appearance.
Having lavish skins makes you stand out from the rest, with many players constantly competing to get their hands on the best in the market. This has highly contributed to the popularity of the skin gambling industry, where players with rare skins can exchange them for cash.
For new players, betting with skins may sound unrealistic – and rightfully so, since not many esports betting sites offer this option. Although skins are mainly used for cosmetic purposes, they do carry quite a lot of value. To put it into a different, yet perhaps clearer context, skins can be compared to casino chips – the latter of which do not carry value outside casinos, but can be exchanged for cash while playing games.
Based on the same concept, skins can be traded between players and also through exchange platforms, where you can play slots or table games such as poker, roulette, and blackjack. In this case, your skins will be the currency used.
You can also use your skins to bet on sports events, enter online lotteries, and even on coinflip gambling. In return, if your bets are successful, you will be rewarded with more skins which other players you were competing against had placed.
With these additional skins, you have the option to:
Valve initially introduced CS:GO skins for camouflaging purposes and to give players an advantage when attacking. However, the interest quickly shifted to extremely colourful and vibrant designs, while weapons are now available as bold, shiny gun-style paintballs.
But how do you get these skins in the first place? We've listed different ways you can do so below.
In CS:GO, after completing a match in any game mode, you'll get the chance to win an item or skin. These skins have varying rarity levels, and the higher you progress in the game, the rare certain skins become, which increases their value when it comes to trading them.
Well…. that was a nice skin drop. #CSGO pic.twitter.com/kT3pCDAVdn — Dorian Gorr (@DorianGorr) January 28, 2021
Well…. that was a nice skin drop. #CSGO pic.twitter.com/kT3pCDAVdn
— Dorian Gorr (@DorianGorr) January 28, 2021
Unlike other games, CS:GO does not give you many rewards for levelling up. However, throughout certain periods in a year, Valve release CS:GO Operations, which are in-game events containing missions, challenges, and much more.
As you complete different missions, you level up your operation coin, which earns you more stars to use and purchase items in the operation shop. One of the most famous CS:GO operations is Operation Riptide, which features a modified battle pass through which you can earn up to 6 stars each week.
With these promotional events, you can win a variety of rewards, including new weapon collections, agents, and stickers.
From the CS:GO in-game store, you can purchase items using the funds from your Steam wallet, among which include sticker capsules, miscellaneous stickers, music kits, and patch packs.
In CS:GO, you can exchange skins directly from their account to another player’s inventory or send them as gifts. This is an excellent option that allows you to get rid of items that do not meet your preferences, and vice versa.
I had no idea Steam had a market place to sell random inventory stuff. So I decided to put up a few random items 😛 pic.twitter.com/NI5IHyEQQv — Barnacules Nerdgasm ™️ (@Barnacules) January 29, 2016
I had no idea Steam had a market place to sell random inventory stuff. So I decided to put up a few random items 😛 pic.twitter.com/NI5IHyEQQv
— Barnacules Nerdgasm ™️ (@Barnacules) January 29, 2016
This is the most common skins exchange option that allows you to trade your skins for real money. While these sites also take a cut of a certain amount from the total price, their rates are not as high as Valve's. In most cases, this commission fee ranges from 7% to 10%.
Popular skin exchange sites include CSGOEmpire, Farmskins, and WTFSkins.
Similar to conventional betting, skin betting comes with the risk of losing your most valuable skins. Below are some tips to keep in mind.
1. Set your betting limits: With every betting session, it is essential to have a clear outline of how much you wish to bet. You can start by wagering your lower valuable skins before putting your valuable collection at risk.
2. Focus on growing your collection: Be on the lookout for players betting with the weapons or skins you are interested in. This way, you will increase your chance of landing skins that you actually want to include in your compilation.
3. Engage in events: Participating in CS:GO Operations, such as Operation Riptide, is one of the best ways to earn more valuable and rare skins or weapons.
4. Never chase your losses: Losing streaks are common, but having a budget and sticking to it will protect you from exceeding what you can afford. If you lose your favourite skin, place another bet will not guarantee a win. The best thing would be to take a break from betting and cool off.
The legality of skin betting largely depends on your location; however, it can generally be said to be in a legal grey area since there is no actual currency involved that could be given a particular value.
Skin betting works similarly to NFT betting, where users buy digital pieces and the prices are determined by the rarity of the product, among other factors. This is why many skin betting sites are operational, even in countries where gambling is restricted. To be safe, we would highly recommend that you check whether a site has been licensed and verified by the relevant bodies before signing up.
You can sell your most valuable skins for real money at the Steam Community Market or at third-party skin betting sites.
While the Steam Community Market is the most reliable and safest option, the commission fees are pretty hefty compared to other exchange sites. However, you can at least rest assured that it is a highly secure platform through which you can make these exchanges.
Different skins have varying values, and the rare the skin, the higher the price. However, before making a purchase, be sure to compare the prices on various sites to avoid buying overpriced items. You can also wager low-value skins to win those with a higher value.
While skin betting for real money may be an exciting option for some players, it is not for everyone.
Luckily, there are many licensed esports betting sites which offer numerous betting markets, impressive odds and diverse gambling options, with our top recommendations listed below. Dota 2, and PUBG, which include Rivalry, GG.BET, and Pinnacle Esports.
Rivalry top our list of the best betting sites for major esports titles such as CS:GO and Dota 2. They offer competitive odds on major events, various betting markets, and even livestreaming options. The platform is licensed by the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission and is secured by SSL encryption to ensure that your personal and financial details are protected.
GG.BET is another incredible esports bookie for betting on Dota 2, League of Legends, and PUBG. With favourable odds and a generous selection of markets to choose from, the site is licensed by the Government of Curaçao. In addition, there are attractive welcome bonuses for new players, while livestreaming options comes in handy for in-play bets.
Pinnacle feature an impressive range of esports titles, including CS:GO, Dota 2, King of Glory, and Call of Duty. Standout features here include highly competitive odds and a great livestreaming service. The site is licensed by the MGA and Curaçao eGaming, and has 128-bit SSL encryption implemented to protect all your personal and financial data.
Unlike conventional online gambling, where wagers are placed using currency, skin betting allows players to wager using in-game cosmetics while playing games such as roulette or taking part in match betting. You can also trade your valuable skins for real money on the Steam Community Market or other, third-party websites. This form is gambling is not only available for CS:GO, but also for other esports such as PUBG and Dota 2.
To try it out for yourself, simply scroll up to our list of recommended sites and pick any one that strikes your fancy!
If you enjoy skin betting on CS:GO matches, some of our favourite sites include CSGO 500, CSGO Empire, and Hellcase.
You can sell your CS:GO skin on the Steam Community Market and other third-party websites that have a market base.
Skin gambling lies in a legal grey area, which also depends on the gambling laws and regulations in your country. There have also been many controversies in the past regarding the legality of skin betting. Still, since the players do not wager, win, or lose real money, this form of gambling could be said to be operating in a legal vacuum.
Top esports games that allow for skin betting include Dota 2, CS:GO, and PUBG.
For the most part, the prices of CS:GO skins depend on the rarity. The more rare and uncommon a skin or item is, the higher the price will be.
Hey! Peris here, an ardent content writer and sports fanatic. I have over three years of experience in sports writing, iGaming and esports. If not creating content, you will find me playing FIFA, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch games.