The e-sports team G2 is a big name in League of Legends, but also in CS:GO (Steam). But a new advertisement has sparked criticism: G2 is celebrating the 18th birthday of CS:GO pro Illya “m0nesy” Osipov with a visit to a CS:GO betting casino.
What kind of gambling is this?
- In the shooter Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, trading cosmetic items, skins, is so established that skins are “as good as cash.” Certain skins are worth a fortune.
- For a long time, there have been “betting sites,” where players can gamble like in a casino, but using CS:GO skins instead of real money.
- Such websites have always been highly controversial in CS:GO. Because gambling, whether for money or skins, carries the risk of addiction, loss of control, and financial ruin.
Pro who just turned 18 is “the face” of new advertising deal
This is now the advertisement: The e-sports team G2 has a new advertising partner, “CSGOROlL,” and is celebrating this partnership with a promotional clip.
The Russian CS:GO pro m0Nesy goes to a casino 2 days after his 18th birthday and can elegantly and coolly gamble for skins there.
He shows his ID at the entrance as proof that he is finally 18 and also demonstrates that he has some really great skins so that he can finally gain access to the casino, where he is allowed to play with well-dressed “adults.”
Dangerous precedent
Why is this being criticized? Various users on Twitter are criticizing the advertisement:
- A Twitter account belonging to a trading site asks: “Why are you promoting unregulated gambling to your underage fans? This is a big problem in the CS:GO/e-sports community, and the team behind G2 should know better.”
- A trader writes: “This is a dangerous precedent, in my opinion. I have so many friends and family members who have ruined their lives with gambling.”
Just the fact that such a young person is being used as a spokesperson is viewed critically. The ad seems to be saying: “Finally 18, I can finally do the really cool things in life… gambling.”
