CS2 leads esports betting: I get it, but it worries me

Prediction market platform Kalshi handled $36.18 million in esports contracts between June 1 and 7, with Counter-Strike 2 claiming nearly two-thirds of that figure — well ahead of League of Legends, VALORANT, and Dota 2. According to Esports Insider, the numbers confirm CS2's pull. For me, it triggers two reactions — and they point in opposite directions.

That CS2 leads comes as no surprise to me at all

As a CS player, I completely understand it. Between the sheer amount of money the skin market moves and the visibility of its competitive scene — the Majors, the regional circuits — the Counter community is one of the most loyal and engaged out there. These are people who track odds, stats, and results the way others follow their football league. I'd put it on par with the League of Legends community, or just slightly below. And to this day, it continues to crush VALORANT despite everything Riot has poured into its league structure. That kind of depth doesn't happen overnight.

But the rise of betting strikes me as a real problem

Let me shift tone here. It's exactly the same as with traditional sports: betting is a problem. People lose a lot of money and, worse, they lose it without fully grasping what they're putting at stake. And CS carries specific baggage on this front: the history of skin gambling was anything but clean. The fact that volume keeps growing week over week isn't just good news for the industry — it also means more people exposed to losing money.

Being "regulated" doesn't fix it

I know Kalshi operates under the CFTC, which gives it a more serious legal framework than your average betting house. But honestly, to me it's still the same thing even if it's "legalized." The regulatory wrapper changes the packaging, not the substance — and the substance is that audiences are being encouraged to put money on the line. Let's not kid ourselves with the idea that these numbers "measure attention": sure, they serve as a useful thermometer for publishers and organizers, but above all they're a way to hook audiences. That's the real function.

I'm out — and I'd recommend the same to you

To be clear: I want no part of betting. I enjoy CS by playing it and watching the Majors — not by wagering on them. And that's exactly what I'd recommend to anyone who follows the scene: the spectacle is free, and it's the best part of the game; your wallet doesn't need to be part of the equation. CS2 topping that $36 million ranking says a lot about the strength of its community — and I love that — but be careful not to confuse "the game with the most bets" with "the best game." Passion for Counter is one thing; losing your paycheck on a line is another.