Getting to Grips with Skin Gambling
Skins are in-game items that change the appearance of an object or character.

If you are a gamer, you will know how exciting skins are. Being able to change the appearance of weapons and items in a game, and customising your avatar, is just as much fun as the action itself.
Thus, rarer skins have become valuable and you can even use them to gamble on third-party websites. We discuss how to get to grips with skin gambling in the article below.
What are Skins?
A skin is an item found in a game, that can change the appearance of in-game objects. These could be avatars but are most likely weapons and items. Generally, they have no bearing on how the game is played. They will not give better stats or alter a character, they just change how things look.
Depending on the game, skins may be acquired in various different ways. They may come from lootboxes, be given away in the game, at special events or they can even be bought from other players. As skins often come in differing levels of rarity, some become much more sought after than others. In some instances, skins have been deleted from official channels and are only available through third parties. This is where the high sums of money start coming into the skins marketplace.
Most players go to Steam to buy their skins. Here, they can exchange real money for virtual currency which can be spent on items in their library. This also provides players with a place to store their skins and items.
One of the most popular games for the collection of skins is CS:GO. Originally a paid game, it was bought by the company Valve and made free to play. This led to them turning in-game assets, like skins, into a way to make revenue. When Steam created an API that allowed integration with third-party sites, CS:GO suddenly had a live economy of its own.
Skin Gambling
As these skins hold value, they can be used in a variety of ways. One of the most innovative is the ability to use them for gambling. Players can place their skin in a pot and use it to gamble or exchange it for in-game tokens, These can then be used to place wagers on games or take part in other activities much like an online casino.
People will access their skins on Steam, and then use them on third-party sites as credit. It is then held in an account at the third party and is released depending on the outcome of the event they have wagered on. Winnings are either given as virtual currency or in some cases, players may be allowed to turn this into actual cash.
Third-Party Marketplaces
A direct result of this is the rise of third-party sites that deal with skins and skin gambling. Each differs, and just like online casinos they often offer bonuses for sign-ups. You should be aware that some are more trustworthy than others. If you are considering skin gambling, then you need to ensure the site you use is secure.
Luckily, there are also websites that will rank and rate these skin gambling sites for you. Operators such as Skinlords.com will meticulously check the best CS:GO gambling sites. These will then be presented in an easy-to-digest format, rating them out of five and noting their deposit bonus. You can then click on them to read the more in-depth reviews, browsing as many as you like at any given time.
Once you sign up, you will find plenty of games to bet your skins on. The most popular pastime is actual skin betting. You do this in a very similar way to how you would bet on a sportsbook. If an eSports match is coming up, make a bet on the outcome and stake your skin, or transfer it to credit and wager with that. This can be a great way to add excitement to any bouts or tournaments that are coming up.
However, it is not just matches that you can bet on. These sites often have plenty of games, almost akin to online casinos, that you can play. For example, skin roulette is extremely popular. You bet on colours or numbers, then spin the roulette wheel. If your choice comes up, then you win according to the payout table provided. Crash games are also popular at skin gambling sites. They let you place wagers on the trajectory of an aircraft. Your bet increases the longer you stay in, but if you are still in when it crashes then you lose your bet.
Skin gambling is not for everyone. However, if you have an excess of skins you want to cash in it is worth a try. Gamble responsibly, and find the game and site that suit your needs.