Dein erstes Forum » It is what it is, at the same ti

The past few months have seen a meaningful surge in coverage surrounding the betting side of the esports industry, and it hasnt been pretty. Back in April, Bloomberg published a significant investigative piece detailing the scope of the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive skin betting marketplace and many of the issues stemming from that industry. This article, coupled with a public scandal involving the skin betting site CSGO Diamonds, helped spur a class action suit against Valve. Then two weeks ago, a video from prominent YouTuber h3h3Productions helped shed light on a wide array of issues, including potential fraud, related to the prominent betting site CSGO Lotto.Valve had remained silent throughout this mounting controversy, but its silence ended yesterday. Valve issued a statement entitled In Game Item Trading Update that could mark the demise of skin betting as we know it. While Valves stance seems relatively black and white, the language used in the statement leaves open as many questions as it answers. I will parse through that language to offer more insight into Valves decision and what it means for the future of betting surrounding Valve titles, including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.Analyzing Valves statementIn 2011, we added a feature to Steam that enabled users to trade in-game items as a way to make it easier for people to get the items they wanted in games featuring in-game economies.Since then a number of gambling sites started leveraging the Steam trading system, and theres been some false assumptions about our involvement with these sites. Wed like to clarify that we have no business relationships with any of these sites. We have never received any revenue from them. And Steam does not have a system for turning in-game items into real world currency.As far as I know, this is completely true. It could be argued that Valve has supported gambling sites to a certain extent by allowing users to log in via Steam, and Valve games have certainly become more popular as a result of these sites. But that is not the same thing as receiving revenue from their operations. Perhaps more information will come to light over time to support the allegations leveled against Valve in the class action lawsuit filed in Connecticut, but I havent seen any credible evidence that contradicts Valves assertion in its public statement.These sites have basically pieced together their operations in a two-part fashion. First, they are using the OpenID API as a way for users to prove ownership of their Steam accounts and items. Any other information they obtain about a users Steam account is either manually disclosed by the user or obtained from the users Steam Community profile (when the user has chosen to make their profile public). Second, they create automated Steam accounts that make the same web calls as individual Steam users.Using the OpenID API and making the same web calls as Steam users to run a gambling business is not allowed by our API nor our user agreements.This is the crux of Valves position, and judging from the public reaction thus far, it has been largely misunderstood. It does not appear that Valve is banning third-party sites from using Steam accounts to facilitate skin betting. At least, not yet. If you run a search in the Steam Web API Terms of Use and Steam Subscriber Agreement, the word gambling is nowhere to be found. In fact, the API Terms of Use havent been updated since July 2010, before the trading marketplace was even implemented and long before skins were introduced to CS:GO in 2013 through the Arms Deal update.Instead, Valves issue seems to be with the fact that gambling sites create automated Steam accounts that make the same web calls as individual Steam users. This naturally begs two questions: Does this affect sites that use automated Steam accounts to make API calls for purposes other than gambling? Can gambling sites continue to use the API so long as they dont make automated calls?The dominant skin marketplace website, OPSkins, released a statement yesterday that it doesnt believe it is impacted by Valves statement because it is not a gambling site. While it is certainly true that OPSkins users cannot gamble on the site, it does not appear to address the fact that OPSkins makes precisely the same type of automated API calls as betting sites in order to facilitate the large volume of transactions.Meanwhile, gambling sites such as Bets.gg have stated that they will continue to operate, and intend to implement changes to comply with the ToS update from Valve. While its not entirely clear how Bets.gg or other gambling sites could alter their behavior in order to comply with the API and other Valve user agreements, the fact is that Valves current position leaves room for them to do so.Thus, Valves statement creates a level of uncertainty that will have to be addressed. At present, its far from clear which sites will and will not be allowed to access the API moving forward.We are going to start sending notices to these sites requesting they cease operations through Steam, and further pursue the matter as necessary. Users should probably consider this information as they manage their in-game item inventory and trade activity.This is where the rubber meets the road. At the end of the day, the real impact will come from Valves enforcement, not from the statement itself. Will Valve enforce the API restrictions against all third parties, or just gambling sites? Will Valve actively monitor the situation and eliminate new sites as they arise, or will it take a more passive approach?Perhaps the biggest uncertainty surrounds whether Valve will go after all forms of gambling (including betting on the outcome of esports matches), or if Valve is targeting traditional gambling activities such as coin flips, lotteries and similar games. In its statement, Valve consistently uses the word gambling, as opposed to betting. This could be an attempt to draw a distinction between certain types of wagering activities, or it could have no significance at all.Only time will tell how all of this plays out. But from where Im sitting, there simply isnt enough information in Valves short statement for anyone to do more than speculate.Impact on the esports landscapeDespite the uncertainty surrounding yesterdays statement, its great to see Valve taking action in this area. We are rapidly approaching a critical mass of negative publicity that could have a significant impact on the longevity of the second-most popular esport in the world, as well as the interests of every party involved in that competitive ecosystem. If unregulated skin betting is allowed to continue unchecked, broader backlash and the advent of regulation from parties who do not understand our industry is inevitable.I sincerely hope that Valves statement marks the beginning of the end for unregulated, unlicensed betting sites that prey on underage users and offer no safeguards against fraud, threats to competitive integrity and much more. That being said, Im not sure today is that day.The fact that Valves statement relies on API misuse is particularly telling. So long as sites can find a way to comply with the terms of use, they may be allowed to continue operating.There is also the potential that Valves stance could be overboard, eliminating all skin-based betting, not simply the sites that operate illegally.It is often overlooked that skins offer a unique type of betting unit that could change the face of gambling as we know it. While many people buy, sell and gamble skins purely as a form of currency, skins are designed to be used, not merely held. In stark contrast to pure cash, a skin may become less valuable to a user over time while maintaining its value to another user who doesnt own that particular skin. As such, it offers the rare opportunity for gambling with reduced negative consequences for the loser. It is a fundamentally different type of gambling transaction, one that could represent a watershed opportunity for the gambling industry.I dont think it is good for anyone to simply eliminate the potential to bet using skins, and I hope Valve isnt going down this path.The problem isnt betting. The problem is unlicensed, unregulated betting. So long as it is done responsibly, betting can drive engagement and additional revenue streams, with manageable negative impacts. There is ample empirical and anecdotal evidence that shows gambling can be good for esports viewership. But that doesnt mean we should stand by and allow the fraud, false advertising and other illegal behavior that has surfaced over the past few months to go unchecked.Im glad to see Valve acknowledge that it has a role to play in eradicating bad actors. As it moves forward and enforces its position, I hope that Valve will strike the right balance between eliminating problematic behavior while permitting gambling in a legal, regulated and responsible manner.Disclosure: Bryce Blum is the General Counsel at Unikrn.Air Max 270 Femme Moins Cher . Durant finished with 24 points and 13 rebounds, Jackson matched his career high with 23 points on 10-of-14 shooting and Lamb scored 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting, lifting the Thunder to a 94-88 win over San Antonio and snapping the Spurs 11-game winning streak. Nike Air Max 97 Ultra Homme Pas Cher . A forerunning sled crashed into the worker Thursday at the Sanki Sliding Center. The unidentified worker broke both legs and was airlifted to a nearby hospital. http://www.outletairmaxpascher.fr/fausse-air-max-270-femme.html . It was just business as usual for the Thunder at home. Durant scored 32 points and the Thunder beat the Bulls 107-95 on Thursday night for their eighth straight win. Fausse Tn Pas Cher . Colin Wilson had two goals and an assist, and Mike Fisher scored a goal and helped set up two others in the Predators 6-4 victory over the Red Wings on Monday night. Air Max 90 Homme Pas Cher Francais . All of the scoring came in the final 20:04. Lucic scored on a power play at 15:46 of the third period, when he tipped a shot over Stars goalie Kari Lehtonen for a 3-1 lead.FLORHAM PARK, N.J. -- Darrelle Revis has shut down star wide receivers for years. Now, the struggling New York Jets cornerback is trying to do the same to critics.Revis, in his 10th season, is off to a tough start after giving up some big plays in the Jets first two games. That has prompted some fans and media to question whether he has lost a step and is no longer the elite player he has been for much of his career.Just like quarterbacks throw interceptions, being out on an island, youre out there by yourself, said the seven-time Pro Bowl selection, whose Revis Island nickname came from years of routinely neutralizing top receivers.Its definitely a tough position to play and Ive been playing it for a decade now, so its definitely for me to just get better.A day after Cincinnatis A.J. Green had a huge game against Revis in the season opener, a report on Sept. 12 by Bleacher Report cited anonymous sources saying that the cornerback arrived to camp not in prime condition because he was coming off offseason wrist surgery and unable to work out adequately.On Wednesday, Revis said he believes that story came from his agents, although Bleacher Reports Jason Cole -- who reported the story -- tweeted last week that it was people who worked out with Revis.Hes just taking shots, Revis said. But, its fine. Like I said, you take the good with the bad. That was a shot. But its all good.Revis was then asked if he believed the story was a shot on behalf of his former agents.Yeah, no doubt, he said. No doubt. Definitely.During the offseason, Revis fired agents Neil Schwartz and Jon Feinsod, who helped negotiate several big-money deals for him and making him more than $124 million.I knew where it came from, Revis said. I definitely knew where it came from. Like I said, its a shot. Yeah, its a shot.Revis has not spoken publicly about his reasons for parting ways with his agents, but he currently doesnt have another representative, according to NFLPA records.If thats how they want to approach it, thats how they approach it on their end, Revis said. This is just how they approached it. That has nothing to do with me.Still, Cole previously discounted any assumptions, including a tweet by ESPNs Andrew Brandt , that the sources were something a fired agent would say. Cole responded by saying, Not in this case, and added that it was people who had been training with Revis in the offseason.In a statement to The Associateed Press, Schwartz said: As we previously stated, Jonathan and I only wish Darrelle the best of luck.ddddddddddddevis did acknowledge that he added a few pounds in the offseason as a result of not being able to fully work out while he recovered from his wrist surgery.When you have surgery, you do gain weight, he said. At the same time, Im not using that as an excuse.During training camp, Revis routinely practiced in multiple layers and sweatpants to help him get into shape.Revis also recently got into it on Twitter with NBA player J.R. Smith, whom the cornerback got to know while he was a member of the New York Knicks.Damn (hash)Revisisland turning into a tourist resort. (hash)JustSaying, Smith tweeted during the Jets game at Buffalo, after Marquise Goodwin sped past the New York star for an 84-yard touchdown.The next day, Revis responded with a Hall of Fame-style tweet of his own: Still heading to Canton though. What about you???The tweet was later deleted and replaced by another in which he said both players won championships -- Smith with the Cleveland Cavaliers -- and we both will go down in the history books. Revis was bothered that Smith would take a shot especially after weve crossed paths.Like I said, there are a lot of eyes on me, Revis said Wednesday. So, I guess some of the guys from the NBA are paying attention as well. It is what it is, at the same time, I said what I said on Twitter and thats that. I hope he understands.Next up for Revis is the Chiefs, and coach Andy Reid isnt necessarily buying the notion that the cornerback is washed up.Listen, I know theyre saying he got beat, Reid said on a conference call. Maybe he gets beat one time, but the ones that people are saying, he didnt have help on. There werent people in the middle of the field. Thats not his responsibility.I think that gets blown out of perspective. He looks pretty good to me to answer your question. He looks pretty stinking good.Reid added that, sure, Revis is getting older, but hes also getting wiser on the field.He transitions so easy, Reid said. His hips and his ability to look back and run fast are unbelievable. I want him to get old. Im going to try to talk to you long enough that he gets old. Hes a good football player.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '