Because no one has forced them to shutdown CSGO. Until regulators and legislation force Valve to get rid of everything that enables the gambling, they aren't gonna change a damn thing. Why would they? They make shit tons of money off of it and no one's telling them they can't.
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Large Youtubers Hide Ownership of CSGO Lottery Site
- Thread starter Darryl M R
- Start date
- Status
Because no one has forced them to shutdown CSGO. Until regulators and legislation force Valve to get rid of everything that enables the gambling, they aren't gonna change a damn thing. Why would they? They make shit tons of money off of it and no one's telling them they can't.
Psycho_Mantis
Banned
RNG is fine even with microtransactions but when you allow the community to create marketplaces and gambling sites that resell such things for thousands of dollars, with no restricted access (18+) isn't that pretty much gambling for kids.
Dreams-Visions
Member
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...merges-they-owned-gambling-site-they-promoted
Valve getting a bit more active on this issue i see.
Valve getting a bit more active on this issue i see.
nhlducks35
Member
Because they make millions from it...
As I mentioned it's been rumoured (with some evidence) that EA are providing packs to certain youtubers.
The principle in my mind is the same as what TmarTn has done.
They're getting people to show all these "great" packs that you could get if you simply take your chance and buy some....
The same way you too could win $13,000 if you go to csgolotto.
I hope if TmarTn get's investigated that Activision will also come under fire for their part in paying for advertisments without disclosure...
If I remember rightly there was a similar thing where "someone" was found to be posting positive impressions on the Xbox one and certain games too, again trying to portray an impartial opinion.
YianGaruga
Banned
how about just shutting down skin trading and not the actual game part?
Thats too many sites.
Audioboxer
Member
It's unregulated gambling full stop. Heck even MTs themselves need better regulation. Considering we keep getting told the future is digital the laws and regulations need to get smart and get catching up.
I don't think games or mobile F2P games for that matter should be allowed to charge uncapped amounts for currency for example. Seeing top MTs cost more than a standard game price shouldn't be allowed.
It's not a fucking MICROtransaction when it costs $40+ a pop.
The most funny aspect to me this reflects is the stubbornness of the mainstream media to come to the 21st century.
If this was being done in a physical building in a city street and this news broke on this scale - shit would be going down with camera crews, newspaper coverage et al.
But because this is happening on the internet and relates to videogames, whilst they may indeed get investigated and punished, it will barely make a splash outside dedicated newsgroups.
If this was being done in a physical building in a city street and this news broke on this scale - shit would be going down with camera crews, newspaper coverage et al.
But because this is happening on the internet and relates to videogames, whilst they may indeed get investigated and punished, it will barely make a splash outside dedicated newsgroups.
coughlanio
Member
It's not nearly as bad, as you can't cash out with FIFA cards
Darryl M R
Member
I added another part on PsiSynidcate. It is pretty brief in the OP. If anyone believes I missed key facts within the 2 or so sentences please let me know and I can update it.
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Tmartn is just chilling and still posting on Twitter. Honestly even if it is not video game related I would just be on a blackout. No outside contact. But maybe he has a lawyer that told him "act like everything is alright and don't change your mannerism."
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Tmartn is just chilling and still posting on Twitter. Honestly even if it is not video game related I would just be on a blackout. No outside contact. But maybe he has a lawyer that told him "act like everything is alright and don't change your mannerism."
True, imagine what a shit storm that would be if you could though lol
People would be paying through the roof for certain players for their ultimate team.
'We don't approve but you can still go if you like' isn't going to do squat to an addict.
Shut. Them. Down. Valve.
And this is the bit that I just don't get as a differentiation. in a casino you don't bet straight money, you buy little plastic discs that each have a particular value, and gamble those. Then after the gambling is done you cash in your little plastic discs in exchange for real money.
how is that any different to paying for skins, which each have a particular value that you can then gamble, and when the gambling is done, you exchange those skins for real money?
Crimsonclaw111
Member
Believe it or not some people actually like the game.
Lactose_Intolerant
Member
They still have to disclose it.
KINGofCRA5H
Member
This is probably true, yes.
Hope FTC, & FBI really come down hard on this.
Valve: Providing API to allow this type of trading.
Gambling websites which make use of this API Valve provide.
CSGO "Market" places: Which allow the selling of and buying of Skins and items for real money or even bitcoins.
Youtubers / Streamers that are caught up in this whole shit to push it even further.
--Edit--
I also would not be shocked to hear if there was tax evasion, money laundering, and countless other laws this shit is breaking.
Valve: Providing API to allow this type of trading.
Gambling websites which make use of this API Valve provide.
CSGO "Market" places: Which allow the selling of and buying of Skins and items for real money or even bitcoins.
Youtubers / Streamers that are caught up in this whole shit to push it even further.
--Edit--
I also would not be shocked to hear if there was tax evasion, money laundering, and countless other laws this shit is breaking.
SpinkyMinky
Member
You can if you're EA. Which is ....worse? Anyway, sorry for OT.
Audioboxer
Member
True but it's lead to one fuck load of phishing, scamming and account fraud. The Xbox account nonsense, which even followed heavily on PS.
Some of which was suspicious when people were claiming they had unique as fuck passwords.
PSI talks about another site, SteamLoto, I think.
That would make it only tangentally related to the CSGOLotto scam.
Hypereides
Gold Member
Reading various comments, across the net, defending Valve's passiveness makes me lose faith.
So far, its legally unwarranted. Plus, it seems to be an important pillar of their business. Ergo, money.
KINGofCRA5H
Member
Yeah, it was a dumb comparison. They are one in the same imo.
Mobius and pet octopus
Member
I don't know if the site itself is immoral or illegal, or if Valve's supposed guilt is mandatory if those are true. But the whole FTC thing is really cut and dry. All his promotional materials and acts to cover it up, that rant, etc.. that is imo very deplorable.
1) Did this Psi guy say anywhere that it was CSGOlotto he dealt with? I still believe he just jumped on the opportunity to get some attention.
2) You should maybe remove shagg's quote, as it seems that that Duelskins admin is related to the .net site, not Martin's.
BitterSidekick
Member
Psi talks about SteamLoto, but still, information that it can be rigged is useful to have in context in my opinion.
Slightly Live
Dirty tag dodger
I've always assumed a company like Valve would take the higher moral road on such issues. I mean, it's clear Valve is profiting from the illegal activities it facilities.
From what little folks here are uncovering, there's an entire underground of shaddy, illegal activity all wrapped around Valve, Steam, the marketplace and CSGO.
Like, if this was any other industry, there's be arrests, investigations and 24 hour media coverage. Instead, Valve gets richer. Underage gambling moves to the other sites that Valve facilitates. And we all sit here hoping something, anything, can be done against a handful of these people.
YianGaruga
Banned
which can all be shut down if Valve disables skin trading...
I think you're blowing Valve's involvement a tiny bit out of proportion. They created the market and it sadly has developed a dynamic of its own and they looked away for too long. That's what they need to fix and nothing more.
Saying they are actively involved in the shady business is not supported by any evidence.
You might want to look at FIFA again.
Valve themselves are addicted to the money that they get.
The only thing I got from his vid is that Yes these systems can be rigged.
NaDannMaGoGo
Member
Valve should seriously just shut down item trading. It wouldn't only help just with all this gambling bullshit but also the masses of botters and scammers.
All this item trading stuff has basically nothing to do with the actual gaming aspect of the damn games. In fact, it causes so many people too focus on just this item economy that it can remove interest in people actually playing the games, especially playing the game due to gameplay as opposed to hoping to get a lucky item drop for them.
It's the path Blizzard had to take with Diablo 3, too. It ruined the game and when they decided to shut it down they also knew they had to disable item trading because third party sites would overtake the auction house business otherwise.
All this item trading stuff has basically nothing to do with the actual gaming aspect of the damn games. In fact, it causes so many people too focus on just this item economy that it can remove interest in people actually playing the games, especially playing the game due to gameplay as opposed to hoping to get a lucky item drop for them.
It's the path Blizzard had to take with Diablo 3, too. It ruined the game and when they decided to shut it down they also knew they had to disable item trading because third party sites would overtake the auction house business otherwise.
shanafan
Member
I need to play dumb here because I am not quite sure I understand the overall scope of this.
So, Tmartn and Syndicate are owners of a CS:GO gambling website - which they did not disclose in their videos (which have since been taken down it appears). It is a big deal to promote something on YouTube, and not disclose the fact that they are being paid (or running) said thing. I understand that.
What I do not understand is what goes beyond that. From the videos I have seen from this CS:GO Lotto website, you can bet CS:GO skins, weapons, etc against others in hopes to get other skins, weapons, etc. But, is there real money being traded? That is what I do not understand.
With that said, so Tmartn and Syndicate are playing this CS:GO Lotto website, and might have an advantage because they are admins on the website - but if real money isn't being traded - just digital items - is that punishable by law?
And yes, YouTubers have been involved in advertising them through videos featuring rigged bets.
It's fucked.
Darryl M R
Member
Thanks for the correction and I agree with Bitter that having someone admit that these gambling sites can be rigged is important to know.
I see, thanks for letting me know. I'll remove it shortly if there is no conflicting comments about this.
True but screw the police - if Valve doesn't send a clear message involving a guy screenshotted running around saying he won $13,000 on a site that he owns that is dependent on their marketplace that really does start to have implications.
Audioboxer
Member
Oh man, all these Internet detectives unearthing all this stuff.
Yeah it's a good thing Bish moderates GAFcoins over on GAF Gold. He'd never mislead us. GAF detectives cannot be tricked.
There are other sites were you can sell these items. It's really only a logical conclusion (the only one, heh) after the fact that you can move these items freely between accounts.
Slightly Live
Dirty tag dodger
Maybe I am, but I think we need to remember Valve is directly involved here. Not just looking away and turning a blind eye. They profit directly and handsomely. They need to own up to the type of illegal activities they facilitate and stop facilitating it.
If your company is making money from underage gambling, just fucking stop it. Immediately.
Audioboxer
Member
The thing is they'll still make plenty of money via keys (much like Overwatch)... It's like why Valve?!
Why do you need to be this greedy?
http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2...merges-they-owned-gambling-site-they-promoted
Tweet has been removed by the way (https://twitter.com/TmarTn/status/747609077665136640) / cache version: http://postghost.com/TmarTn/747609077665136640
Oh man, all these Internet detectives unearthing all this stuff.
Never realised it's Jason Momoa in this gif.
If a company thinks they can get away with it, they wil.
coughlanio
Member
If Valve doesn't address this in the next 24 hours, I may be of two minds about supporting them in the future.
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