Cs Go Exclusive Betting
CSGO is ideal for online betting for the following reasons: Counter Strike Betting is Popular Counter Strike is known everywhere. And whatever version you put up for betting, bettors will surely flock to the site. Betway is fully immersed in the CS:GO scene, from our coverage of every major event, to our sponsorship one of the biggest teams in esports history: NiP. We take on all of the biggest CS:GO tournaments including the IEM Katowice, ESL Pro League and Blast Premier, making us the only destination you need for all your CS:GO betting.
CSGO match betting is one of the biggest esports betting methods with competitions that sell out entire stadiums and prize pools over a quarter of a million dollars and more. CSGO's developer, Valve has done a great job in integrating game into the esports scene in the best possible way.
CS: GO Betting Guide
CS: GO ranks as the front runner in the first-person shooter genre as the game pioneered several technological changes. One of the reasons it is so popular is that the game’s concept is pretty simple – two teams of five slug it out in a best of 3 (sometimes 5) matches. In every match, there are 30 rounds and teams alternate roles as Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists. The “Terrorists” must plant a bomb at the detonation site. The bomb takes 40 seconds to detonate, and defusing the bomb takes 10 seconds (5 seconds with a bomb-defusing kit). The “Counter-Terrorists” aim to defuse the bomb or prevent the terrorists from planting the bomb. The first team to eliminate members of the opposing team wins the round. The first team to win 16 rounds wins the match.
The FPS game is top-rated and recorded an estimated 20 million users monthly in 2019. Following the COVID-19 pandemic, this number has increased. It is available to users 21 years of age and above in the US. The game traditionally holds online, and viewers can stream matches live. Major tournaments are also held in arenas (like the Cyberathlete Professional League which used to be held in Dallas), and enthusiasts can watch live events in person.
CS:GO BETTING
Electronic sports (e-sports) – competitions played using video games are increasingly common among games betting enthusiasts can wager on. CS: GO is one of the most popular eSport games wagered in the world. It has the most significant number of markets among all First Player Shooter games and has many competitions running throughout the year.
Legal betting in the United States has steadily increased following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PAPSA) in 2018. Autonomy has now been given to each state to determine their independent wagering legislation.
There are a handful of American CS: GO teams, but, as American sportsbooks are just starting to expand, eSports betting markets are few in the US, and only in a few states. A few CS: GO competitions are approved for wagering in Colorado and West Virginia but each competition has to be individually approved in Nevada and New Jersey.
CHOOSING A CS:GO SPORTSBOOK
The first step in CS: GO eSports betting is choosing a legal sportsbook. The competition airs in several countries across the world, and each game provides different markets for bettors to wager on. Choosing the best betting site is thus of paramount importance. A few features to consider include:
- Security: It is crucial to find out if the sportsbook is licensed and regulated. It ensures that the site is legal for you to wager on. Regulations also guarantee that your money is safe. There are several online betting sites, but a few have served the majority of Americans for a while and built a reputation. Hence, they are reliable.
- Ease of Deposits and Withdrawals: The process of wagering starts with making deposits and ends with withdrawals. A provider that makes the process easy is more respected. Commonly used deposit means include Debit cards, credit cards, Paypal, e-wallets, cryptocurrency. For withdrawals, e-wallets, cryptocurrency, direct bank transfers, or crediting funds back to the debit card is more common.
- Promotions and Bonuses: Some sportsbooks offer bonuses upon signing up. Some provide a risk-free bet for first wagers. There are a host of other enticing bonuses available on different sportsbooks. Occasional promotions, too, can sometimes be the nudge to give a sportsbook a try. These are useful considerations in deciding which sportsbook to use.
Loyalty programs for existing customers also vary from one provider to another. The benefits also vary and, depending on what entices the user, could influence the choice of the sportsbook.
- CS: GO Betting Markets available: Although many sportsbooks may appear to have similar markets, they don’t provide the same markets for the same event. A few sportsbooks offer live betting and prop bets on CS: GO games. Additional markets, like those we subsequently discuss, make it better. A comparison between two or more will help you make the best choice.
- How good the odds are: The best bookies are famous for their favorable odds. And these differ from one Bookmaker to the other. No two sportsbooks have the same odds. It is good to compare the wager lines and decide which maximizes profit based on your prediction.
- Do they have a Mobile App: The average person today works a lot with his or her mobile device, iOS, or android. Online wagering platforms with mobile apps are more portable and more comfortable to access, enhancing their appeal.
- Live Betting and Live Stream: These are newer additions to the sports betting space. In the case of live betting, you can wager on a game in real-time. The odds increase or decrease, depending on the events that unfold. This adds a new angle to the online wagering experience. A few wagering platforms also offer options for viewers to watch some of the games live.
BEST US SITES FOR CS: GO WAGERING
With several sportsbooks now operating online, and a wide range of options across Android and iOS platforms, users are getting spoilt for choice. Currently, bettors in New Jersey, Colorado, West Virginia, and Nevada can place wagers on Counter-Strike – Global Offensive amidst other FPS games. Based on the features mentioned above, here is a list of our top choices.
DraftKings: The Daily fantasy sports (DFS) franchise was one of the first sportsbooks to launch in the United States. Their platform features a unique technology with a fast user interface, and they have live betting options available.
DraftKings boasts a $25 non-deposit sign up bonus. On signing up, you get 100 percent returns on your first bet up to $500 and up to $500 deposit bonus. Their fascinating parlay bonuses, referral bonuses, and daily boosted odds are very attractive options. DraftKings is the best option for mega bonuses and tons of options for making deposits and withdrawals. The provider has an app available on both Android and iOS platforms and the prospect of early cashout.
FanDuel: Like DraftKings, FanDuel made the switch from Daily Fantasy Sports to Sports Booking after the PAPSA repeal. They are a hugely popular brand and have exceeded many expectations. FanDuel became the sportsbook to have an iOS app coded natively for iPhones and iPads alongside their android app. The app has a classy and straightforward interface that is easy to understand, although occasional bugs are a minus.
FanDuel offers a $500 risk-free first bet after a user signs up. If you lose your first wager, you get a refund of up to $500. They offer live betting options, but the overall experience with eSports markets and odds available is not as good as most counterparts.
William Hill: This is one of the oldest brands on the market. It was founded in 1934 but has consistently remained a strong force, now in the online space. They offer a variety of eSports markets and operate and several languages. The app interface can still improve, and the platform can provide better bonuses, but the sportsbook still offers an exciting betting experience.
There are options for live betting, Live stream, and early cash-out. They offer a 100% deposit match of up to $150 and over 35 deposit and withdrawal options.
BetRivers: Rush Street Gaming owns the BetRivers sportsbook, as well as the SugarHouse sportsbook. They offer the best range of deposit options and match the user’s first deposit up to $250. Players have to wager the bonus just once to redeem it, making it the most user-friendly bonus, compared to its other counterparts.
Compared to FanDuel’s mobile app, which has the prettiest looks, its interface is pretty bland. But beyond this are some of the best in-game odds and user-friendly promos and bonuses. BetRivers does not have iOS mobile software. iOS users can only access the provider via the web in tandem with the GeoGard App.
Bet365: One of the most prestigious betting sites globally, the sportsbook is based in the United Kingdom but operates legally in the US. The sportsbook offers users the option of live betting and early payout. Users can also stream select games live on the platform.
The sportsbook offers an attractive welcome bonus of up to $100 in Bet credits, matching the initial deposit amount (min. – $10). The bonus becomes available after the bettor wagers with the bonus amount once within 30 days, on a selection of at least 1/5 (1.20) odds or more.
BetStars: The sportsbook recently added eSports betting to its list of options. It is one of the top wagering sites in the US with a sleek website that is easy to use. eSports betting on BetStars comes with lots of options and attractive promotions, and there is a specific focus on Counter-Strike – Global Offensive and League of Legends.
Cs Go Betting Sites
The sportsbook offers new users a risk-free deposit bonus of up to $500. There are several deposit and withdrawal methods, and the provider has an app available on android and iOS.
888sports: The sportsbook is one of the most significant worldwide and is excellent for eSports. The platform provides a user-friendly interface that allows you to find the sport and place your bet quickly. The platform offers some of the best eSports betting markets for new and existing players.
The sportsbook offers new users a no-deposit bonus of $10 and a 100 percent first deposit bonus, up to $500.
- Betfair: Betfair joined forces with PaddyPower in 2016 to create one of the world’s biggest sportsbook providers. They have a unique betting exchange platform where bettors can wager against each other instead of a bookmaker. This adds a new angle to eSports betting, particularly on Counter-Strike – Global Offensive, among others. The provider also allows live betting and live streaming of select eSports games.
There is a free $20 exchange bet for new users after a deposit of at least $10.
CS – GO Wager Lines
Counter-Strike – Global Offensive is very similar to most team-based sports, and betting on this eSport is very identical to wagering on mainstream sports. There are exclusive markets available at particular sportsbooks, and a few like DraftKings also offer options for Fantasy CS – GO wagering. With their coupons and promo codes, bettors can also boost their earnings on selected events, increasing the sportsbook’s appeal.
CS: GO is a fast game that changes swiftly. As such, the Live Betting feature makes for exciting odds that fluctuate in real-time and possibly increase the expected returns based on the bettor’s prediction. Some of the available bets on the sportsbook include:
- Match Odds: It is one of the most straightforward bets to place. Unlike most eSports decided after a match, a Counter-Strike – Global Offensive game is won by the best of 3, or rarely five matches.
- Handicap Betting: Handicap bets, also referred to as the “Point spread bets,” are wager types where the advantage is taken from the favorite or given to the underdog, opening the chances for either team to win the wager evenly. In a best-of-three game, bookmakers can give the underdog an advantage of 1 or 2 matches or a similar disadvantage to the favorite.
- Totals Bets: For this, bettors place wagers on the expected total number of rounds or matches in the game. It is usually referred to as an overs or under bet. The wager is on whether the combined rounds or matches exceed the oddsmaker’s set total or not.
- Proposition Bets: Prop bets are such that don’t have a bearing on the outcome of the match. But they are placed on the occurrence or non-occurrence of a particular event during the game. Players can wager on prop bets like the team with the most kills, team to have a round advantage, etc.
- Outright Bets: They are sometimes referred to as futures bets. They do not focus on single matches but the entire outcome of the tournament. For these bets, players wager on the team expected to win the championship, which side would make the final or what countries they would be from.
- Specials Bets: These are more specialized bets that require some understanding of the game to make wagers. Predictions like specific map winners, knife round winners, or pistol round winners can be selected.
- Live Betting: Enthusiast can follow the CS: GO games live and wager on the game as events unfold. The Odds increase or decrease as the game progresses and add an interesting angle to the game.
- Pistol Round Betting: In competitive CS: GO, there are two half per match. A pistol round begins each half and helps determine the economy for the half. Players can place wagers on who wins the first, second, or both Pistol rounds.
Players can also wager on the Knife rounds – the first round in a match. This round has no bearing on the eventual winner but allows the winning team to choose the map they want to start with. CS: GO winners can wager on the team expected to win this round.
THINGS TO KNOW IN PLACING CS: GO WAGERS
Several CS: GO tournaments run throughout the year, but the major CS: GO events bring bettors together the most. Two or three significant tournaments are held every year, with qualifier rounds running before the competition proper, which allows bettors to assess the ability of teams before the majors begin. But there are also several mini-events all year round unlike most other eSports.
CS: GO major tournaments are the cream of the crop in the eSports space, hosted in some of the most beautiful cities, and attract lots of attention worldwide. The prize money has also been attractive seven-digit figures over the past few years. The Electronic Sports League One: Rio Major is the next major Counter-Strike – Global Offensive tournament. It was postponed due to the COVID-19 but will boast a $2 million prize for the winner – double the amount for the last tournament. The Electronic Sports League Pro League is the next best thing in the CS: GO gaming space.
Astralis, from Denmark, is the best team in recent years in CS: GO majors and has won the last three tournaments in a row. How they have influenced the way CS: GO is played in recent years is a testament to their consistency and ruthlessness. Fnatic, NaVi, and Avenger are the closest to Astralis but have work to do to match up.
To ensure your winnings keep coming;
- Take note of the game and teams involved in the game you want to wager on.
- It is advisable to specialize in a specific map or region and identify teams that do best in these.
- Avoid placing wagers on a team you support or favorites based on sentiments.
- Asides wagering on major events, bettors can wager on mini-events that also provide many markets before major events begin.
- Research always makes it easier to place wagers. Identify the teams on form and bet on them.
The Electronic Sports League One: Rio Major is set to hold in November 2020 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Astralis leads the favorites for the tournament and is on course to win their fourth straight major.
CONCLUSION
You now have an overview of the Counter-Strike – Global Offensive (CS: GO) and how to wager on the competition. Once you pick the perfect sportsbook, you are in for an exciting eSports betting experience.
The coronavirus pandemic necessitated the postponement of the ESL One: Rio Major, but enthusiasts can still view some games online. Most sportsbooks offer robust markets on CS: GO, particularly, and these wager lines keep increasing. An excellent sportsbook choice will make the experience all the more rewarding. Astralis is still the firm favorite for the title challenge, but Avenger, NaVi, and ENCE will look to give them a run for their money.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is the latest installment in a franchise that started back in 1999. This first-person shooter came about as a fortunate accident when two visionary developers created a Half-Life mod. That mod spawned an entire series and today CS:GO remains an esports phenomenon.
First-person shooters in general are very popular with esports betting fans, but Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is head and shoulders above the competition. It has the highest number of betting markets among all FPS games and there are major tournaments running throughout the year.
Csgo Exclusive Betting Strategy
For now you can find limited CSGO betting markets at US online sportsbooks in a few states, notably Colorado, West Virginia and New Jersey. Fantasy sports platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel, which are available more widely in the US, have also picked up on CSGO’s popularity and added a full menu of CSGO fantasy contests.
Best CSGO betting sites
Is CSGO gambling legal in the US?
CS:GO is popular on both sides of the Atlantic, and some of the best teams are from the United States. Interest in the game is rising, and many players and people watching also enjoy betting on the prominent tournaments.
Unfortunately, sports betting is not legal nationwide, and residents of certain states enjoy better terms than others. Nevada was the first to legalize sports betting, and today residents and visitors of the following states can also wager on esports legally:
Current CSGO competitions that have been approved for gambling in West Virginia and Colorado:
- ESL Pro League Season 11
- ESL One: Rio 2020
- Blast Premier: Spring
- ESL One Cologne
- ESL Pro League Season 12
- Blast Premier Fall Regular Season
- Blast Premier: Fall
CS:GO events need to be approved individually in both New Jersey and Nevada.
Play Fantasy CS:GO
In most states, esports betting isn’t fully legalized yet but players do have a convenient alternative – Daily Fantasy Sports.
DraftKings and FanDuel are the major fantasy esports betting platforms where punters can put their skills to the test.
CSGO gambling fans of legal age can set up an account and play fantasy esports in over 40 states; only seven (Washington, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Louisiana, Arizona and Hawaii) actually prohibit it.
As for CSGO fantasy contests, you can expect a similar lineup to what you’d find for traditional DFS centered around the biggest CSGO championships. Game formats include:
- Guaranteed prize pools
- Head-to-heads
- 50-50s
- Double or nothings
- Satellite qualifiers to bigger buy-in contests
The age requirements for both traditional betting and fantasy esports are the same in the states where these activities are legal. Players need to be 21 or older to set up an account and bet on CS:GO matches.
Best CSGO betting apps
CSGO betting and apps go hand-in-hand at most bookmakers. The most obvious way of placing a bet is straight in the browser, but punters also have the option of downloading the apps.
Handheld devices (iPhones, tablets) are ideal for esports betting live, and the specialized betting apps further enhance the gaming experience. You can also launch Twitch and YouTube streams alongside the app if the sportsbooks don’t broadcast the CS:GO tournaments themselves.
In many cases, esports betting platforms have integrated the streams from these two platforms on their websites. The apps can also make players eligible for exclusive bonuses that are only offered to those who have made the transition to the betting app.
The two top apps for CSGO betting and CSGO fantasy are provided by DraftKings and FanDuel. Download the apps and claim your startup bonuses below:
How does CSGO betting work?
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive is a fast-paced game that lends itself well to both pre-match betting and live betting. It’s also possible to bet on tournament winners well in advance as sportsbooks publish futures odds several weeks ahead.
The most exciting bets are the ones placed on the special markets; these are the ones we’ll explain below.
Match and series CSGO gambling
Unlike other popular video games such as League of Legends, where the winners of each championship round are often decided after one game, CS:GO is a best-of-three affair.
The number of matches can increase for the later stages of prominent tournaments, but players can routinely bet on the first team to win two games. This is the most straightforward type of bet and the obvious choice for beginners as you only need to predict the winner of the series.
Individual match betting is also possible, and it usually benefits from slightly better odds when backing the favorites. A variety of series betting is on the total number of matches played in a series.
Csgo Exclusive Betting Game
If you have a hard time picking winners, you can simply bet on whether the series will end after two or three matches. For the sake of bigger odds, punters can predict the winner and the exact score of the series.
Bet on total CSGO frags
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive matches consist of 30 rounds, and the winner is the team that wins 16 of them. There are plenty of kills scored on both sides, and sportsbooks offer markets to bet on the total number of frags recorded.
You can even bet on the total number of kills scored by individual players, which makes each round more exciting. Those who appreciate betting on totals can take advantage of this opportunity and also bet on the total number of rounds played during the series.
CSGO handicap betting
Most CSGO matches featured by sportsbooks are rather balanced, as they involve top teams performing in major tournaments. There are, however, instances where one team is significantly better than the other and the 2-0 score line looks very likely.
If the odds are not high enough to justify the risks, you can bet on the margin of victory in each round. Handicap betting comes in handy as it allows you to either back the favorites to cover the spread or the underdog not to lose by a crushing margin.
Real money vs. CSGO skins betting
Most Counter-Strike gamblers prefer traditional sportsbooks where they can deposit and bet real money. The connection between risk and reward is more obvious and players know precisely how much they win if they make the right decision. They also enjoy the advantage of having deposits matched and receive additional bonuses from recurring or ongoing promotions.
In some countries where real money CSGO gambling isn’t legalized, skins betting has become a phenomenon. Instead of operating with real currency, players compete for “skins,” which are stylized versions of the in-game weapons. These can be traded for real money, so at the end of the day, there is financial compensation.
Skin betting might be tempting, but the problem is that the operators offering this alternative are usually unregulated offshore companies. This poses obvious potential troubles, and whenever players have the option to go for legal CS:GO betting, they should do it.
Major CSGO contests and top teams
There are dozens of CSGO tournaments scheduled throughout the year, so the betting opportunities are numerous. Among them there are two or three major competitions every 12 months that bring together the best teams in the world.
Qualifiers take weeks and, except for a handful of invited teams, most of the future participants have to go through the qualification rounds. This provides you with a chance to get a better sense of how good they are and see the balance of power between teams and players.
FACEIT Major: London
This is a tournament sponsored by Valve, with a guaranteed prize pool of $1 million. The 2018 edition was a major hit, with 24 teams competing for a share of the guaranteed prize pool. As the first installment in the FACEIT series, it brought the best teams to London and it was eventually won by Astralis.
ESL One: Rio Major 2020
The most anticipated tournament of 2020, ESL One: Rio Major had to be delayed due to COVID-19. Because of the unforeseen circumstances, the guaranteed prize pool was doubled so it will be the first tournament with a $2 million prize pool.
StarLadder Berlin Major
In 2019, the StarLadder Berlin Major marked an important premiere for StarLadder, as it was the first CS:GO tournament hosted by the organization. With its guaranteed prize pool of $1 million, it was a major stop on the CS:GO calendar. Astralis prevailed, confirming the team’s favorite status.
Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII
Katowice, Poland, is a city famous for its esports competitions, and in 2019 it hosted the Intel Extreme Masters Season XIII. Intel has been one of the main sponsors of CS:GO tournaments, and this event also had a $1 million prize pool. The event marked the beginning of the season, and it was, predictably, won by Astralis.
ELEAGUE Major: Boston
One of the most important tournaments hosted on American soil, the ELEAGUE Major: Boston was won by the local favorites Cloud9. This is another tournament with a million-dollar prize pool and 24 participating teams, hosted by Valve under its rebranded format.
Recent CSGO results
The last couple of years were dominated by Astralis, the team that has won the most CSGO majors. The Danish superstars have won millions of dollars in these events and were almost always considered the favorites at sportsbooks. The team has struggled in the first months of 2020, but it is still one of the top teams.
Natus Vincere is one of Astralis’ archrivals and a strong contender in major tournaments. The Russian outfit is both experienced and talented, well capable of upsetting the favorites in any event. Other strong teams with good results over the last couple of years are Cloud9, FaZe, Fnatic and mousesports.
Here’s how the most recent major tournaments played out:
- Astralis wins the StarLadder Berlin Major 2019.
- Astralis defeats ENCE in the IEM Intel Extreme Masters XIII final.
- Astralis prevails at the FACEIT Major: London 2018.
- C9 outshines FaZe in the ELEAGUE Major: Atlanta 2017 final.
- FaZe wins the PGL Major Kraków 2017.
- Astralis wins the ELEAGUE Major: Atlanta 2017 over VP.
CSGO gambling tips
CSGO gambling isn’t rocket science, but it’s not the most predictable affair, either. To boost your chances in the early stages of CSGO betting, when you’re still learning the ropes, consider these three key pieces of betting advice.
- Many series go the distance: It might look on paper as if there is a significant discrepancy in skill and experience between the teams involved. The truth is that few series are decided in just two games, and even the weaker teams have a strong map. We advise you to bet on more than 2.5 maps to be played, or consider the underdog to win at least one map whenever the odds are worthwhile.
- Place small bets on overtime: Betting on the better team to cover the spread is not a good idea because the odds are usually too low on decent spreads. Asian handicaps are also risky the other way around, as a team that gets ahead can run away with the match. Whenever evenly matched teams meet, you should consider a small bet on the game to go over time, as the odds are good.
- Steer clear of exotic markets: Sportsbooks gain the biggest edge from exotic markets, such as correct match score or the team to win pistol rounds. The odds seem high, but they are usually not high enough to cover the risks, especially when you are tasked with predicting the exact score. The “team to win pistol round” is perhaps one of the safest CSGO betting props.
Is CSGO gambling safe and fair?
It is entirely safe and fair if you only bet with a licensed and regulated sportsbook. Those who apply for a license need to pass the scrutiny of regulators, and their business is always monitored for fairness.
As for the game itself, the major tournaments enjoy the same attention from organizers as traditional sports competitions. The threat of match fixing is taken seriously and, so far, with great success.
For a CSGO league or event to be permitted for real money betting or fantasy games, it has to meet the strict expectations of the state’s gaming control agency.
How to make a deposit for CSGO gambling
Sportsbooks offering Counter-Strike: Global Offensive betting feature many payment methods. Players need to sign up for an account, pass the verification process and they can deposit by credit and debit card, e-wallets and wire transfers.
DraftKings and FanDuel focus on fantasy esports, but they offer the same payment methods for US bettors including PayPal. All transactions are encrypted, and the platforms work with respectable financial institutions, so money transfers are secure.
Deposits are usually performed instantly, and the waiting time on withdrawals rarely takes more than five banking days.
A brief history of CSGO
The first Counter-Strike game was produced in 1999 and gained instant popularity with players from all over the world. The simplicity of the game and its competitive nature prompted Valve to hire its creators, thereby acquiring the intellectual rights and creating an entire franchise.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has become a fixture in esports competitions as the most popular first-person shooter. Bettors can bet on major tournaments as well as minor competitions depending on legislation in each state. The number of betting markets differs accordingly, but overall it is significantly lower than that of traditional sports.
Players can bet on the winners of the tournament, the game and the series, but also the team that prevails at the end of each round. It is possible to wager on the total number of kills, place handicaps bets and indicate the correct score of a series.
The competitive CS:GO arena is ever-changing, with top teams alternating at the top of the standings. Astralis is the uncontested leader and the team that has dominated the game over the last couple of years. It recorded some of the best results in major tournaments and it is currently the squad to beat.
Natus Vincere is its archrival and currently the most in-form Counter-Strike: Global Offensive team. G2, Fnatic, mousesports, Team Liquid, Evil Geniuses and 100 Thieves are some of the strong challengers.