Since its release, CS2 has been an instant hit, cementing its place as one of the most iconic shooters. It also reclaimed the crown as one of the most-played competitive games in the world. However, that’s not the end. Surprisingly, this game has become a heavyweight in the world of esports betting. It has redefined the market landscape in just over a year by drawing in seasoned bettors and new fans to wager on the fast-paced action. Today, we will try to predict what this means for the 2025 trends in esports betting.
Rise to Dominance
After the launch in September 2023, it was easy to see that the game would make a significant impact on the scene. Just looking at the sheer number of reputable esports betting sites covering Counter Strike 2 (CS2) is enough to show its current popularity. As the reports from Abios and several major sportsbooks show, CS2’s share of esports betting in 2024 accounted for 57% of the total number, surpassing all other esports giants like LoL and DOTA 2. If we look at Q4 alone, its share grew to 64%, which signalled a clear domination of the betting field among the majority of the audience.
It’s not just the game itself that’s attractive, but the flagship tournaments that attract people the most. One historic milestone was the Perfect World Shanghai Major, held in December 2024, where both the number of viewers and bettors reached record values. This event alone accounted for 28% of the total number of esports bets in the last quarter of the year. The engagement heavily outpaced even the LoL World Championship, a giant in the esports betting scene. Highlights like these paint a clear picture of how CS2 has become the new anchor for almost all of the esportsbooks.
Why Everyone Loves CS2
Several factors make up the core of CS2 dominance in the esports betting sector.
- Fast Action: CS2 has a unique rhythm, especially compared to MOBA games. Matches are quick, consisting of several rounds where each one has betting potential. Micro-markets for bets on pistol round outcomes, first bloods, or bomb plants keep live bettors engaged constantly.
- Frequent Events: High-tier tournaments and leagues like ESL Pro, IEM, and BLAST are scattered throughout the year, providing CS2 fans with very consistent opportunities to bet on the game. Additionally, they can follow the teams closely through regular matches, allowing them to track form and place repeat wagers with confidence, similar to traditional sports.
- Live Betting: In-play betting is a massive driver of revenue for sportsbooks. CS2 is a game that seems perfectly built for this. Around 50% of the bets on CS2 in 2024 were placed live. This shows an audience that enjoys the shifting momentum and clutch scenarios offered by this game. Every round resets the strategy, and bettors are able to make informed decisions in real-time as the action unfolds.
- Expanded Markets: Player prop bets (e.g. total kills, headshot percentage, MVP performance, flashbang assists, etc.) are widening the array of options that operators bring to the table further than classic match winners and over/under rounds. These granular, skill-based wagers are growing in popularity and showing an appetite for this kind of increased engagement in the game mechanics.
The Evolving Audience
CS2 has grown in popularity, and so has the breadth of its audience. Today, the average CS2 bettor is in their thirties, with a strong interest in esports but also in traditional sports betting. This overlap is very important: many users betting on football and basketball have apparently transitioned into esports exactly through CS2. This is all thanks to its familiar moneyline, spread, and prop bet formats.
Gen Z is also coming in roaring, according to Abios reports for last year. Over 40% of the CS2 bettors in 2024 were under the age of 28, which is a major rise from the previous year. Mobile betting is surging, with over half of total bets now being placed via mobile phones. This shows that a more mobile-native audience is taking over the market and that they extremely value the accessibility of on-the-go wagering.
What to Expect in 2025
Early odds for the major 2025 events are already live on many popular sportsbooks. Fans are betting on winners, but also on advancing teams and group stage performance, as well as individual player stats. As we move deeper into the years, operators are showing the intention to double down on CS2 with more targeted promotions. Boosted odds on marquee matchups, CS2-specific parlays, and live prop markets are certain to keep fans glued to their screens as the tournaments roll out. Esports betting is growing rapidly, and CS2 is very clearly positioned to remain the most bankable title in that space.
