Counter-Strike 2 drives esports betting boom

News Team November 14, 2024

SiGMA news

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2), the latest update to the Counter-Strike series, is reshaping esports and iGaming by attracting more players and bettors than ever. Building on the popularity of CS, CS2 has quickly become a leading game for both esports viewership and betting. According to Abios’s Q3 2024 Global Esports Betting Monitor, CS2 secured 58 percent of the global esports betting market, setting a new record and outpacing other games in the industry.

When gambling and esports meet

CS2 has not only expanded esports viewership but also deepened its ties with the gambling industry. Betting markets have begun to adapt to the unique demands of esports fans, particularly among Gen Z audiences, who are expected to have more disposable income as they age. This shift toward betting integration is evident with companies like PrizePicks, a daily fantasy sports operator that recently appointed former Activision Blizzard executives Mike Ybarra and Marcus Sanford to leadership roles.

“Games like Counter-Strike 2 show how much of a growing phenomenon eSports is becoming among an iGaming audience,” explained an expert from CSDB. “If they’re not playing these games themselves, they’re more than happy to watch someone else do it. This speaks volumes for how captivating the game is.”

Live betting and tournaments

According to Abios’s report, the average size of an esports wager is up 6 percent since 2020.

The report also reveals that 53 percent of the esports betting handle in Q3 2024 came from live betting, indicating that bettors are increasingly drawn to real-time action. Counter-Strike tournaments like the BLAST Premier Finals, which took place in September, accounted for a significant boost in betting activity, showing a 13 percent increase in the game’s betting handle for the quarter.

CS gambling

Esports betting is reshaping itself around Counter-Strike 2’s unique position as an open, accessible title, with regional and global leaderboards and a commitment to inclusive, non-franchised competitions. By maintaining a universal ranking system and allowing any skilled player or team to compete, CS2 aims to offer an experience that is welcoming to newcomers while still challenging veteran players. This model has not only broadened CS2’s fan base but also diversified its betting market. As the game moves forward, experts anticipate that will continue to draw more players, viewers, and bettors.