Is skin betting still legal in the US?

In the past few years, the online gambling industry including skin betting has completely changed because of the ability to gamble without any difficulties in several states of the US.

The growth of the skin gambling industry has been surprising and taken place with full tilt. In this process, some frequently asked questions that usually hit the mind are what skin gambling is, what’s its history, is it legal or not, how to do skin gambling, and many more.

What Are Skins?

Started in 2012, when Valve introduced different skins in Team Fortress 2 and CSGO. They allow players to buy or win decorative weapons and guns as well as some astonishing designs or costumes to enhance their in-game characters to give a stylish and appealing look to their gameplays. This feature was known as ‘skins’ since then. Later, Valve created a marketplace where users can trade, sell, or buy the skins they like. Since then, the trading of skins and gambling has become very popular which makes the skins a virtual currency. Skins can be used to wager on different eSports matches on CSGO gambling sites or in casino-style games.

What is Skin Gambling?

Skin gambling is a way of exchanging skins that you have won or bought in multi-player games like CSGO, DOTA 2, FIFA, etc for real money or with Bitcoin. Any bet involving virtual items is known as “Skin Gambling”.

Every skin has its quality and design added by the developers of the game. The rareness and design of a specific skin determine its worth and this is how it can be gambled in different ways. The skins represent a virtual currency that players can sell or exchange with other skins. Today, some skins are worth more than thousands of US dollars.

How Skin Gambling Has Been Regulated In The US Since The Beginning?

The online gambling industry has caught the attention of many state authorities in the US back when it started. Some opposed it, on the other hand, some argued that skin gambling should be regulated to avoid legal and ethical issues.

Valve has been clear on their stands on the matter, they don’t want to be seen as a promoter or acquainted with the skin gambling industry.

In 2016, Valve sent orders to about 23 skin gambling sites to “cease and desist”. However, only 11 of them shut their services while the rest of them ignored the order completely. The same year witnessed a rejection of a lawsuit against Valve over gambling that the company was aware of those third-party websites stealing money from their customers.

In May 2018, “American case law determined that the use of virtual goods (CSGO skins) for betting on the outcome of matches is legal and not covered under gambling laws.” source: csgoskinbetting.com.

However, 15 European countries along with Washinton state have since then been having regular meetings to discuss the controversies relating to skin betting and other similar activities.

Ongoing lawsuits

Just after a year, Casino operator Quinault Tribal Nation has filed a lawsuit against Valve for encouraging illegal gambling and benefitting from gambling. The filing said, “Neither Valve nor internet gambling sites using Valve’s virtual items abide by those gaming laws and regulations, and consumers and the National have been harmed as a result”. As a result, skin gambling is still in its controversial stage although many sites and platforms are legit where you can do skin gambling with the compliances of established gambling law.

Is Skin Gambling Legal Or Not?

It is quite a controversial topic whether skin gambling is legal or not. There are a lot of debates regarding skin gambling but there are still no specific laws or regulations that govern skin gambling.

Undoubtedly, skin gambling depicts a generational knowledge gap. Nowadays, skin gambling is becoming a normal part of kid’s gaming activities. It can be seen that most countries or states where skin gambling is declared illegal lack regulating bodies to enforce the gambling laws. Skin gambling is still very popular and potential practice across the globe despite the moral obligation and legal confusion surrounding it.

Legit CSGO Gambling Sites

To date, many websites are being shut down and penalized because of activities related to csgo gambling. However, there are several legit gambling sites that offer csgo gambling, with gambling licence. Fulfilling the demand of CSGO lovers who like to bet on their favorite game, comes up with the best and legit CSGO gambling sites.

These sites comply with the laws, primarily for the safety and security of CSGO fans and players, and also for the sake of themselves creating a secure gambling environment for everyone.