For the past couple years Counter-Strike: Global Offensive gambling sites have popped up on the internet with increasing frequency. While some of these sites have been run in an ethical manner, providing an entertaining service for one of the world's most popular games, some sites have used their positioning to exploit users, jeopardizing the reputation of other gambling sites as well as CS: GO in the process. Valve isn't happy.
Today, Valve issued a violation to more than a dozen websites that provide gambling services for CS: GO players. The letter states that all gambling sites are breaking the Steam Subscriber Agreement, and are subject to punishment, as seen below.
This comes just two weeks after h3h3Productions produced a globally popular video titled 'Deception, Lies, and CSGO' detailing the ways that two gambling site owners in particular used their position to exploit users in an unethical manner. The video is teetering on five million views, and spurred education of the subject matter to a large audience.
Controversy stemmed from gambling site owners using their own services to market their brand on sites like YouTube and Twitch, which is a huge no-no in the world of gambling. Some people also suspect that sites regularly modify odds when using their own service to win in marketing situations. These websites face potential legal issues for their actions.
Each of the sites listed in the letter will have 10 days to comply. If the cease and desist isn't followed, Valve will be in a position to terminate accounts associated with the websites.
