Esports fans are once again debating the uneasy relationship between leading teams and gambling companies. The debate has reignited after 100 Thieves and OpTic Scump announced new deals with a popular crypto casino in recent days.
There’s been mounting criticism from fans who question whether the lines between competition and gambling promotion are fading. A particular concern is the impression these deals have on younger audiences.
100 Thieves Announce a Roobet Partnership
100 Thieves is returning to the Counter-Strike scene after striking a lucrative multi-year sponsorship deal with Roobet. The organization hasn’t had a Counter-Strike team since 2020.
Roobet will be the new team’s title sponsor. Its logo will be on team assets and broadcasts. Much of the money from the deal will go toward expanding 100 Thieves’ presence in Europe. One of the most significant initiatives is developing a new training center for Counter-Strike players in Serbia. Content creators will also be able to travel there and film content.
Some fans questioned whether a gambling sponsor fits into 100 Thieves’ community-driven background. Others pointed to the financial realities of esports. 100 Thieves recently had to lay off workers, and the overall sponsorship market is cooling, which means fewer opportunities for lucrative deals like this one.
Gambling companies are still willing to invest heavily in teams, often in exchange for significant brand exposure. Leading creators will often push affiliate codes, allowing fans to get rewards like no deposit bonuses just for creating a new account.
Critics warn that it could be a slippery slope, potentially normalizing casino culture among younger fans. 100 Thieves founder Matthew “Nadeshot” Haag already has his own Roobet sponsorship, so the November 11 news isn’t entirely surprising.
He often goes to Mexico to stream Roobet content, as the platform isn’t regulated within the EU. He also can’t stream the content on Twitch, which bans gambling content from unregulated sites. That’s why he’s moved to Kick for these types of streams.
OpTic Scump Faces Backlash
OpTic Gaming legends Seth “Scump” Abner and Hector “H3CZ” Rodriguez are also now hosting gambling livestreams sponsored by Roobet. These broadcasts feature slot machine gameplay and table games like blackjack. They place large real-money bets and promote the content across OpTic’s official channels.
Fans quickly questioned whether the personalities valued sponsorship revenue more than ethics. They pointed out how a large part of OpTic’s fan base is younger than 25. Others questioned why Scump, who’s made millions from his career in esports, would “sell out” and sign a deal with Roobet.
A Broader Trend
The money running through esports is changing fast and gambling brands are stepping in to fill the gaps. As tech and energy sponsors pull back, nearly one in five new esports deals now comes from casinos and crypto-betting firms.
Names like Rollbit, Stake, and Roobet are leading the charge, handing out multi-million-dollar contracts to teams and creators hungry for steady cash. It’s easy money, but it comes with strings attached.
Regulators are beginning to clamp down on the gaming sector. The UK Gambling Commission and European Esports Federation have both issued warnings. Any gambling partnership must include clear disclosure and strict age verification. Fail to comply, and the fines could be brutal.
Past Scandals
Esports and gambling have collided before — and it rarely ends well. The CS:GO skin-betting scandal of 2016 exposed how unregulated sites targeted underage fans through flashy esports content, sparking global outrage.
Now, with new crypto-casino sponsors re-emerging, many fear history is repeating itself. Teams tied to gambling money have stayed silent, but insiders say this moment could redefine sponsorship ethics across competitive gaming. If public pressure or regulators ramp up, esports may be forced to decide whether short-term cash is worth the long-term damage.
