Valve Takes a Stand Against CSGO Skin Gambling on Steam

Valve, the renowned video game developer and distributor, has been dedicated to eradicating illicit gambling practices and platforms that exploit its Marketplace by using in-game items as a form of payment. One of the most prevalent forms of such practices is CSGO skin gambling, where players utilize cosmetics unlocked or earned in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) to engage in casino games and place wagers on unregulated betting sites. However, a recent update to Valve's Code of Conduct has made it clear that gambling on Steam or with Steam will now result in a ban.

Over the years, Valve has found itself embroiled in numerous lawsuits against operators running CSGO skin trading and gambling platforms. Despite the challenges, Valve has been largely successful in combating these activities. In January, the last of these lawsuits concluded, leading to an update in the Steam Code of Conduct that establishes a strict prohibition on all forms of gambling.

The Emergence of the Black Market

In 2013, the introduction of skins and cosmetics for CSGO marked the beginning of a "black market" where players could buy, sell, and trade these virtual items on the Steam Marketplace. However, it didn't take long for third-party operators to exploit the Steam API for their own purposes. They allowed players to link their Steam Marketplace accounts to external gambling sites, enabling them to use their skins as collateral for gambling activities.

This concept was inherently risky and morally ambiguous, as it encouraged players of all ages to participate in unregulated gambling practices. While CSGO was already under scrutiny for its inclusion of loot boxes, the game found itself at the center of a gambling controversy that has persisted for years.

"Today, the CSGO skins market is valued at billions of dollars, with individual transactions reaching hundreds of thousands of dollars."

Cracking Down on Illicit Gambling Practices

Recently, xMercy, a prominent CSGO skins collector, discovered that Valve is once again intensifying its efforts to combat illicit gambling practices. An update to the Steam Code of Conduct introduced a prohibition on gambling, particularly within the "commercial activity" offenses. This includes actions such as buying and selling Steam accounts, begging, and organizing unregulated contests on the platform.

Although it has not been officially confirmed, there are suggestions that users engaging with CSGO gambling sites that utilize the Marketplace API for transactions may now face identification and subsequent bans from Steam. Consequently, affected users could lose access to their Steam accounts and the valuable cosmetics they possess. For many players, especially those with skins worth thousands of dollars, this could prove to be a costly consequence.

Moreover, this crackdown is expected to impact users who advertise gambling sites on their profiles or share links to such platforms in any games launched through Steam.

Implications for CSGO Skin Gamblers

If you are an avid user of CSGO skin gambling sites, this news might cause some concern. Valve's strict stance against gambling practices on Steam emphasizes the company's commitment to player safety, responsible gaming, and maintaining a fair and secure gaming environment.

Source: xMercy's Twitter