G2 Esports, one of the most prominent esports organizations in the world, has recently come under fire for their promotion of a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CSGO) casino website that allegedly allowed underage gambling. The controversy began when a young player, known only as “Nexa,” admitted to using the site despite being under the legal gambling age.
The CSGO casino website, called “CSGO Fast,” allows players to bet on the outcome of professional CSGO matches. G2 Esports promoted the site on their social media channels, offering a discount code for players who signed up using their link. However, it was soon discovered that the site did not have proper age verification measures in place, allowing underage players like Nexa to gamble.
The controversy has sparked a larger conversation about the responsibility of esports organizations to ensure that their promotions do not encourage or enable underage gambling. Many have criticized G2 Esports for promoting a site that did not have proper age verification measures in place, arguing that they should have done their due diligence before endorsing the site.
In response to the controversy, G2 Esports released a statement condemning underage gambling and stating that they were unaware of the site’s lack of age verification measures. They also announced that they would be severing ties with the site and donating any profits made from their promotion to a charity that supports responsible gambling.
The controversy surrounding G2 Esports’ promotion of CSGO Fast highlights the need for greater accountability in the esports industry when it comes to issues like underage gambling. As esports continue to grow in popularity and attract younger audiences, it is important for organizations to take steps to ensure that their promotions do not inadvertently encourage or enable harmful behavior.
Ultimately, it is up to all stakeholders in the esports industry – from organizations like G2 Esports to game developers and regulators – to work together to create a safe and responsible environment for players and fans alike. By taking proactive steps to address issues like underage gambling, the esports industry can continue to grow and thrive while also promoting the well-being of its participants.
