CSGOEmpire
Type of site | Skin gambling |
|---|---|
| Available in | English |
| Headquarters | , |
| Owner | Moonrail Limited B.V. |
| Website | csgoempire |
| Launched | 2016 |
| Current status | Active |
CSGOEmpire is an online skin gambling platform that allows users to wager virtual cosmetic items ("skins") from Counter-Strike 2 (formerly Counter-Strike: Global Offensive) on games of chance and esports matches.[1] The site is operated by Moonrail Limited B.V. and holds a Curaçao gaming licence.[2] It launched in early 2016 and claims over five million registered users.[3]
Background
Skin gambling emerged in the mid-2010s following Valve's introduction of cosmetic weapon skins to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive in 2013.[4] Because skins could be traded on the Steam marketplace and through third-party sites for real money, a secondary gambling economy developed around them.[4] By 2016, an estimated $5 billion worth of skins had been wagered on third-party sites.[5] Valve has consistently stated that it does not condone skin gambling and sent cease-and-desist letters to numerous gambling sites in 2016.[5]
CSGOEmpire is one of the longest-running platforms in this space.[6] The site offers roulette, coinflip, case openings, case battles, and a sportsbook covering both esports and traditional sports.[3] It also operates a peer-to-peer skin marketplace.[3]
PGL Major Copenhagen incident (2024)
On March 29, 2024, during a quarter-final match between G2 Esports and MOUZ at the PGL Major Copenhagen 2024, protesters stormed the stage, interrupting the game and damaging the tournament trophy.[1][7] The protest targeted G2 Esports' sponsorship deal with CSGORoll, a rival skin gambling platform.[1] CSGOEmpire's founder, known online as "Monarch," publicly claimed responsibility for organizing the stage rush and live-streamed the event on Kick.[7][8]
PGL temporarily halted the match, and the individuals involved were removed by police.[9] PGL stated it would press charges against the disruptors.[9] The incident drew widespread condemnation from the Counter-Strike community. Multiple esports organizations, including GamerLegion, BLEED Esports, and 3DMAX, subsequently withdrew from the upcoming CSGOEmpire Cup, a $50,000 online tournament, citing the disruption.[7] Monarch was also banned from the Kick streaming platform.[9]
In April 2024, CSGOEmpire published a formal apology, acknowledging that it had "caused hurt and inconvenience to players of the game" and pledging not to disrupt Valve competitions again.[8] The company simultaneously announced the launch of Duel.com, a separate gambling platform intended to operate independently of Valve and Counter-Strike.[1]
Rivalry with CSGORoll
The Copenhagen incident was part of a longer-running public feud between CSGOEmpire and CSGORoll. In May 2023, Monarch published an open letter accusing CSGORoll of "predatory business practices" and operating an "illegal operation."[7] CSGOEmpire also accused CSGORoll's parent company of running HypeDrop, a platform it labeled a "Ponzi scheme" after the site disabled a rewards feature without fulfilling promised payouts to users.[10]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "CSGOEmpire issues apology for disrupting CS2 PGL Major Copenhagen". Sportskeeda. April 6, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "Rioters charge stage in pathetic display at CS2 Major". Dust2.us. March 29, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "About". CSGOEmpire. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 "How Counter-Strike spawned a $5 billion gambling market you've never heard of". ESPN. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 "Final claim in CS:GO skin gambling lawsuit dismissed because plaintiffs never actually used Steam". PC Gamer. January 14, 2022. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "The dark side of Counter-Strike 2 skins". Cybernews. April 7, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Multiple teams drop out of CSGOEmpire Cup following CS2 Major controversy". Esports.gg. March 31, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "CSGOEmpire apologizes for stage rush at PGL Major Copenhagen 2024". Escorenews. April 7, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "CSGOEmpire Controversy Rocks Copenhagen Major, Teams and Casters Boycott". TalkEsport. March 31, 2024. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
- ↑ "CS2 Copenhagen Major Invaded by Protests". GGBoost. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
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