CSGO Betting Guide: How To Bet On CSGO

The skyrocketing popularity of esports has left its mark on just about every facet of modern life. Just like with traditional sports, more and more newly baked esports fans - and even just those wishing to get in the know of how to bet on CSGO without actually playing it - have departed on the quest to find that perfect bookie. In this CSGO betting guide, we’ll help fans of all knowledge levels to place that perfect bet.

Why Bet On CSGO: An Introduction

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty details of how to bet on CSGO matches, let’s start with a brief introduction of the multi-faceted sites of CSGO betting.

• Boost the excitement: Betting on CSGO is a thrilling experience that adds an extra level of excitement to watching already beloved events.
• Competition and strategy: Despite being a fairly straightforward gaming and watching experience on the first glance, CSGO is actually far from it. For many people, the competitive and strategic aspects of betting are a major draw.
• Potential profits: Not last, and definitely not least, it’s the potential profit from CSGO betting that attracts many players. Being able to gain profit from your hobby sounds fantastic. With the right knowledge and strategy, bettors can potentially earn significant profits from their CSGO bets.
• Community and socialization: Betting on sports and esports can also be a social activity, with many bettors engaging with each other and sharing their insights and opinions. The social circles and community platforms for bettors are awesomely tight-knit, with many users contributing to developing guides on CSGO betting strategy, detailed CSGO betting predictions, etc.
• Accessibility and convenience: With the rise of online betting platforms, betting on CSGO has become more accessible and convenient than ever before, allowing fans to easily place bets from the comfort of their own homes - or even on their phones!

However, there are some potential reasons most gaming fans are hesitant to start betting on CSGO. Let’s list them, too:

• Risk of loss: The undeniable risk of losing money is the main deterrent for many, even avid CSGO fans, to start betting on the game. Many people are hesitant to engage in betting because they are worried about losing money and the potential negative consequences that can come with it.
• Lack of knowledge or experience: As we go back to the previous point about CSGOs complexity, this is the opposite side of the coin. For people who are unfamiliar with CSGO’s game flow and meta, as well as what CSGO gambling is, the prospect of betting can be intimidating and overwhelming.
• Legal and ethical concerns: Betting on sports and esports is not legal in all jurisdictions. Different regions have different outlooks on online betting. An Australian might be confused about a Malaysian’s hesitancy to engage in CSGO betting, but the difference in cultural norms shapes it this way.
• Fraud and scams: Last but not least, the fear of wasting your money on shady deals is one of the main deterrents for most fans. Without knowing a reputable CS GO bet websites list, starting out can be daunting - it’s not like anyone wants to put their money on the line to test sites themselves!

CSGO How To Bet Quick Start

Overall, the formula of just placing the bet is absurdly simple:

1. Go to a reputable site from our list of CSGO betting sites.
2. Deposit funds and take advantage of the site’s welcome bonus.
3. Navigate to the event of choice.
4. Place your bet and wait.

Of course, there’s more to the whole process than just clicking buttons mindlessly. But it’s also not as difficult as some beginners seem to believe. Anyway, let’s move on to amazing ways how to make CS GO bets transparent, safe, and legal wherever you are.

Understanding How CSGO Gambling Works Legally

For most esports fans, misconceptions about CSGO betting’s legality are the main deterrence. Despite its growing popularity, some people still believe that esports betting is either illegal or unregulated. In reality, esports betting is legal in many jurisdictions and is subject to the same regulations as traditional sports betting. However, this can vary depending on where you live, and it's important to do research and understand the local laws and regulations before placing any bets.

It would be daunting - and, quite honestly, a very dry read - to list all the legal stuff regarding how CSGO betting works. Instead, we’ll do you one better: equip the readers with knowledge required to understand the basics and do their own research. As they say, teach a man how to fish!

Be Aware of License Strength

The key to understanding what is CS GO gambling legally is being aware of different license operators and the strength of their licenses. This topic is especially important for those who reside in more challenging betting regions such as the United States, which is notorious for banning online bookmaker activity on most of its territory. Let’s rank these licenses from weakest to strongest.

Government of Curacao:

The most basic and popular of licensors, the government of Curacao offers online gambling licenses to bookmakers, but their regulatory standards are considered relatively weak compared to other jurisdictions. Curacao-licensed bookmakers are still subject to some level of regulation, but there are fewer restrictions and requirements compared to other licensing authorities. This license is too weak to be recognized in highly regulated jurisdictions such as the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, etc. If you’re a resident of these countries and you see the word Curacao appear, stay away!

Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association:

The Gibraltar Betting and Gaming Association (GBGA) is a regulatory body that oversees online bookmakers based in Gibraltar. While the GBGA is considered to have higher standards than the Government of Curacao, it’s not strong enough to reach the hardest regions of the world, although it works in the UK.

Malta Gaming Authority:

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) is a well-respected regulatory body that oversees online bookmakers based in Malta. The MGA has a reputation for being thorough and strict in their licensing requirements and enforcement. Bookmakers licensed by the MGA are generally accepted in most parts of the world, including highly regulated jurisdictions such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and the United States!

The United States betting market is notoriously hard to get into and requires bookies to have the best gambling licenses to operate.

UK Gambling Commission:

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) is widely considered to be one of the strongest regulatory bodies for online bookmakers. The UKGC has strict licensing requirements and enforcement procedures, and bookmakers that are licensed by the UKGC are considered to be among the most reputable and trustworthy in the industry, making it viable pretty much worldwide (exceptions may still apply).

While looking at the bookie’s license is an awesome way to quickly determine if you can play, exceptions may apply. In this case, a quick look through the bookies Terms of Service may help clear out any doubts. There might be cases when the CSGO bookie holds no license at all! If this is the case, walk away. Unregulated, unlicensed sites are a major scam risk.

Review the Terms of Service

Just like we’ve mentioned above, it’s very important to carefully review the ToS to find out additional information regarding existing regulations, operator’s policies, and more. This can help avoid any misunderstandings or disputes that may arise in the future. Additionally, the ToS may contain important information about the bookmaker's fees, bonuses, and other policies that can impact overall experience as a user. By taking the time to review the ToS, its possible to make a more informed decision about whether to use the bookmaker's services and ensure that you are using the platform in a responsible and compliant manner.

How To Bet In CSGO More Accurately

While simple on the surface, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a complex and highly competitive game that can be daunting for new players to learn. However, there are several ways that unfamiliar users can quickly learn the game and its betting scene - especially considering that a bettor doesn’t need to flick their mouse to perfection to place accurate bets!

Learn The Game

Still, one of the best ways to learn how to bet on CSGO matches is to simply start playing the game and understand how said matches play out. The game offers a range of tutorials and training modes that can help new players understand the basics of gameplay mechanics. Since CSGO pits players against one another based on their skill level, it’s possible to gradually become better at understanding the mechanics without being overwhelmed by skill mismatches. This will let you make informed CSGO betting predictions on maps, matches, and later even whole events!

CSGO ESL Finals /source: flickr.com

Another way to learn how to bet in CS GO is to watch streams and videos of professional players. While learning the game states yourself isn’t a bad thing, it’s worth keeping in mind that high- and pro-level CSGO is quite different from amateur. If you’re not familiar with the latter, it could impact your judgment of game states negatively, making you place bets incorrectly.

Visiting various online spaces dedicated to CSGO discussions, like HLTV and CSGO Reddit, can also be a great way to learn CSGO betting. The CSGO subreddit is a popular community where players can ask questions, share tips and tricks, and discuss the game. By participating in these discussions, new players can gain valuable insights from experienced players and learn about existing gameplay strategies and tactics.

Keep Betting Markets Simple

Counter-Strike betting markets are the various types of bets that are available to be placed on a particular CSGO match or even entire event. These markets vary depending on the bookmaker, but typically include popular bet types such as outright winner, match winner, map winner, and handicap betting, or betting live on CSGO. There are many other betting markets available, all varying in popularity and game knowledge required to bet on them.

The last part here is crucial. For instance, it would be unwise for a beginner to start off betting on the hardest betting markets that require great game and pro team knowledge such as, for example, score-related bets. Instead, the best way to learn CS GO how to bet philosophy is starting simply, with basic bets such as Match Outcome.

How To Bet on CSGO To Minimize Risks

Please note that risk is an inevitable part of placing bets. If you’re serious about knowing how to bet on Counter Strike, you must be ready to get your bets wrong from time-to-time no matter what you level of knowledge is. However, there are ways to mitigate or even remove these risks and we’ll share them with you in this CSGO gambling guide.

Use CSGO Betting Bonuses

Even though most online bookies feature plenty of different bonuses for bettors of different commitment levels, most bettors either overlook their importance or don’t know how to use them to their full potential. Let’s quickly list the most popular types of Counter-Strike betting offers present on nearly every single CSGO bookmaker.

1. Welcome bonuses: As their name implies, these are the bonuses offered to new customers when they sign up for a bookmaker's services. Welcome bonuses can take many forms, such as deposit matches, free bets, or risk-free bets.
2. Deposit bonuses: These are bonuses that are awarded when customers make a deposit into their betting account. Deposit bonuses can vary in size and type.
3. Free bets: Some bookmakers offer free bets to customers as a reward for placing a certain number of bets or meeting other requirements. Free bets can be used to place wagers without risking any of the customer's own funds. For this reason, they’re exceedingly rare, as they let punters eliminate the inherent risk of placing CSGO bets altogether!
4. Loyalty rewards: Many bookmakers offer loyalty rewards to customers who bet regularly or who have been with the bookmaker for a certain period of time. These rewards can take many forms, such as cashback, free bets, or exclusive promotions.
5. Refer-a-friend bonuses: Some bookmakers offer bonuses to customers who refer their friends to the bookmaker's services. These bonuses can vary in size and type, but generally offer customers additional funds or other rewards for bringing new customers to the bookie.

Keeping an eye out on the bonuses (even if it means using multiple bookies) is a surefire way to minimize risks without having to research the game or betting strategies.

Research Betting Strategies

Don’t worry, we’re not going to recommend advanced game theory to you (although it would definitely help with CSGO betting, too!). Knowing simple and easy to understand CSGO betting strategies can also give the additional edge when it comes to esports betting. For instance, here’s a strategy every CSGO punter should be aware of:

Follow A Rigid Budget

A key part of knowing how to bet CS GO (or any esports game, or traditional sport, for that matter) is knowing your limits. A popular strategy of loss compensation is hardly a good choice when it comes to betting, as even with unlimited money the bookie margins will eat away at your profits. For that reason, it’s important to know when to walk away after a loss. Losses happen, don’t make them catastrophic!

What Is CS GO Betting Best Events

So far, we’ve discussed the factors that depend on the bettor and the bookie when placing a CSGO bet. However, there’s another crucial part to this CSGO betting guide that is up to esports organizers and professional players themselves: ensuring clear sportsmanship and no conflict of interest.

Betting on low-tier CSGO events is a game of risk that is not recommended for those just starting out. Instead, check out this part of our esports CS GO betting guide to see the list of recommended pro series with crystal clear track record.

ESL Pro League

ESL Pro League has a long history in the CSGO esports scene, with its first season taking place in 2015. Since then, the league has grown substantially, with multiple regional divisions and a global finals event that offers a substantial prize pool and attracts millions of viewers from around the world.

The Pro League is known for its high production values, engaging fan experiences, and, most importantly for our CSGO how to bet guide, the quality of the competition. With the best, most talented and skilled players in the world competing, as well as regulatory bodies that ensure fair play, the chance of

The CSGO ESL Pro League is an essential part of the CSGO esports scene. Its prominence also means its ubiquitous on any CSGO bookie. Not only does the league offer a unique and exciting viewing experience for fans of the game, it is also an essential series of events for any serious CSGO betting enthusiast.

IEM

Intel Extreme Masters is a world-renowned esports tournament series organized by ESL and Intel. Events that are part of the IEM tour feature some of the best teams from across the globe competing for large prize pools in front of millions of viewers around the world! Established as far back as 2006, it has since seen huge growth with its exciting formats that are held at several international locations annually.

IEM Katowice is one of the most iconic Counter-Strike pro series.

DreamHack Masters

DreamHack Masters is one of the largest and most prestigious CSGO esports tournaments in the world, featuring some of the best teams and players from around the globe. The tournament is an exciting opportunity for CSGO betting enthusiasts to place wagers on their favorite teams and players, with a wide range of betting markets available.

One of the key advantages of betting on DreamHack Masters is the tournament's high level of competition, which ensures that matches are always exciting, even, and fair. The tournament’s massive popularity ensures its appearance on virtually every online bookie.

In addition to these factors, DreamHack Masters also features top-tier production values and engaging fan experiences, making it an exciting event to follow for anyone interested in CSGO esports. DreamHack Masters is an essential part of the CSGO esports calendar and offers an exciting and engaging betting experience for the bettors and esports fans.

BLAST Premier

BLAST Premier is a premier CSGO esports tournament series that pits some of the best teams and players from around the globe against each other in regional and international events. Betting on these matches offers an exciting mix of potential winnings, as well as unparalleled levels of competition which keeps fans coming back for more thrills! With serious prize pools up for grabs alongside unpredictable match outcomes, it’s no wonder why people flock to this event year after year.

PGL

PGL (Professional Gamers League) is a leading esports tournament organizer and production company that has been involved in the Counter Strike esports scene after its foundation in 2002. The company has organized and produced some of the biggest CSGO events in the world, including the PGL Major Championships, which are among the most prestigious CSGO tournaments in the world.

Major Tournaments

CSGO Majors are the highest-tier competitions perfect for betting. /source: flickr.com

Major Tournaments are the largest and most prestigious events in the CSGO esports scene like the ones presented above. These events feature the best teams and players from around the world and offer substantial prize pools and significant media attention. Betting on Major Tournaments is an exciting opportunity for CSGO enthusiasts to follow the best players and teams in the game.

One of the key advantages of betting on CSGO matches that are part of a Major-type series is that they offer a high level of competition and top-tier production values, making them as free from bad actors as it gets. Additionally, most bookies pay special attention to Major tournaments and offer a wide range of betting markets related to them, from simple match-winner bets to more complex proposition bets. Needless to say, the more betting markets, the more opportunities for bettors.

Minor Tournaments

Minor Tournaments are smaller-scale events. These events typically feature up-and-coming teams and players and offer a lower level of competition compared to major tournaments. One of the key aspects of betting on Minor Tournaments is that they often offer more unpredictable and exciting matches. This is a double-edged sword: not only are the matches more unpredictable due to skill differences, but unsportsmanlike activity such as match-fixing is also more likely to occur. Overall, Minor Tournaments can be an exciting betting experience for CSGO enthusiasts as they a unique opportunity to explore the lesser-known corners of the CSGO esports scene. Additionally, betting on Minor Tournaments can be an excellent opportunity to identify up-and-coming talent in the CSGO esports scene and get ahead of the curve before other bettors catch on.