ESL bars skin-trading and gambling sponsors from CS2 events

ESL has updated its rulebook to prohibit esports organisations from taking sponsorships from skin trading, case-opening and skin gambling sites at licensed Counter-Strike tournaments. The change follows limits Valve set in December 2025 and removes a funding source that some teams have used for years.

The new clause bars companies that interact with a player’s Valve game inventory-sites that let users deposit, trade or gamble in-game skins-from sponsoring teams or appearing in visible branding at ESL events. ESL’s earlier sponsorship rules still forbid partners linked to pornography, drugs or other adult content; the update adds a specific restriction tied to Valve intellectual property.

Valve introduced comparable restrictions in December 2025 through its Tournament Operating Requirements and the Limited Game Tournament License. Any event that uses the Counter-Strike name or branding under those licences must follow the rules. Because ESL runs major Counter-Strike competitions worldwide, the organiser updated its rulebook to meet those licensing conditions for both high-level and smaller licensed events.

Teams and tournament organisers that relied on sponsorship revenue from skin-related sites will need to find alternative sponsors for licensed events. The update covers visible sponsorships and branding at tournaments and mirrors Valve’s ban on skin gambling, case-opening and trading platforms appearing at officially licensed Counter-Strike events.

Separately, ESL clarified its code of conduct to confirm that private in-game communications between teammates during a live match are subject to the same standards as public behaviour. The rulebook explicitly bans hate speech and discriminatory language in private voice comms, including slurs or insults referencing race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, religion, disability or nationality. Penalties can include warnings, fines or other disciplinary measures at the discretion of tournament officials.

The clarification states ordinary competitive trash talk, swearing or reprimands over gameplay are not automatically prohibited if they do not target protected characteristics. Tournament officials retain discretion to judge context and severity when deciding whether conduct crosses the line.

The rulebook revisions update both sponsorship rules and conduct expectations for players and teams at licensed Counter-Strike events, aligning ESL’s policies with Valve’s licensing framework.