This week, the Australian government banned one of the most popular CS:GO skins sites. We are talking about CSGORoll, which is completely banned in the country because it has allegedly breached some terms of “the Interactive Gaming Act 2001.”
Australian government bans one of the most popular CS:GO skinning websites
During the month of March, the Australian Media and Communications Authority (AMCA), had issued a warning to CSGORoll. This warning for the website was because it offers some interactive gaming services that are prohibited in the country. However, after the warning on May 16, the AMCA decided to ban the use of this website.
According to information published by the AMCA, CSGORoll is described as “a P2P skis marketplace”. In addition to being one of the largest sites for skins of Valve’s title, it also offered its customers coins that could be used in online casinos.
The reason that being able to convert the skins of a game into coins for a casino alerted the Australian authorities, as this can lead many people to become gamblers. So it is likely that governments in other countries will follow Australia’s example and become much stricter with this type of website.
Media release: Online gaming company Feral Holdings Limited has been given a formal warning and its CS:GO Roll website has been withdrawn from Australia after the company was found to be providing prohibited interactive gambling services.https://t.co/qgIqq3swVI pic.twitter.com/ZzfbrGNDWE
— ACMA (@acmadotgov) May 16, 2023
ACMA comments on the banning of CSGORoll
ACMA President Nerida O’Loughlin states that websites such as CSGORoll are of real concern as they tend to prey on a young audience. This ban may be a trip back in time for experienced CS:GO, players. In 2016 the gambling issue became a bit difficult, so the Washington Gaming Commission sent some letters to Gabe Newel, which forced Valve to act.
By then, the CS:GO skins market had changed completely; due to Valve’s campaign against some sites like CSGOFast and CSGOLounge. These websites were required to change their strategy or face serious legal consequences.
So it is very likely that the U.S. government will act again against these types of websites now that Australia has taken action. Country regulations govern Valve, so it is likely that if more governments take action against CSGORoll, the developer will demand changes to the website.
Australia’s ban on CSGORoll seems to be the first domino, as this website right now is in the crosshairs of thousands of CS:GO fans and maybe different governments who want to follow in the footsteps of the ACMA.
For now, we must wait to see if different countries also ban the website and if Valve takes action on the matter.