In one of the biggest removal of skins in the game’s history, Valve has banned over 40 skin traders with links to unregulated gambling sites. This has resulted in over $2 million in CS:GO banned skins being totally removed from the game.

CS:GO skin gambling can be an addictive way of acquiring some of the most expensive skins in the game,  but you do so at your own risk. Valve makes no secret of the fact that using these sites is against its Code of Conduct, and as a result, you can be banned at any time.

Some of the skins that were removed from the game. Credit: MarokoCS on Twitter

CSGORoll

CSGORoll seems to have been hit the hardest by this wave of bans, with many of the accounts involved in the site’s “supplier program” facing punishment.

This “supplier program” allegedly allowed certain users on the site to withdraw on-site balance as cryptocurrency. Ultimately, CSGORoll advertises itself as a site that doesn’t get involved with crypto cashouts, and it seems that might not be the case.

It is believed that rival CS:GO skin gambling site CS:GO Empire revealed a document exposing users allegedly laundering cryptocurrency on the site. The owner of CSGORoll has since responded on Twitter, criticizing the alleged “blood fuelled personal vendetta” by CS:GO Empire.

Just last month, G2 announced a partnership with CSGORoll as its official CS:GO skins partner. It’s unknown if this news related to the CS:GO skin gambling site will have any impact on this collaboration, but it shows how the esports scene still has a way to go in terms of legitimacy.

CS:GO Banned Skins

The list of CS:GO banned skins removed from the game is unclear, but it’s believed that around $2 million worth of the best CS:GO skins are now gone.

Apparently, among the CS:GO banned skins are 7 M4A4 Howls, the Contraband skin that is no longer available in cases. This could see the M4A4 Howl shoot up in price astronomically, as they were already in short supply as is.

It’s certainly a shame to see stunning CS:GO skins leave the game in this way, but ultimately the Code of Conduct is very clearly set out by Valve. It was last updated in May, specifying CS:GO gambling sites as a massive no-no. It will be interesting to see if any more of these sites fall victim to the Valve banhammer in the months ahead.