Legendary AWPer Oleksandr “s1mple” Kostyliev is once again at the center of attention—this time not for a highlight ace or a blockbuster transfer, but for a candid remark about possibly becoming a casino streamer after his contract with NAVI ends. His statement, made in typical s1mple fashion—with a touch of humor but a serious undertone—sparked fierce debate within the CS2 community and brought to light long-standing issues of hypocrisy in the scene.
“Maybe I Should Give It a Shot?” — s1mple Goes Candid About Casino Streams
During an informal conversation about his post-NAVI future, s1mple made a striking comment:
Damn, I’ve never dipped into this swamp [casino streams] before. Maybe I should give it a shot? I could make some cash when my contract with NAVI ends. They say I could even stream it on Twitch.
This quote instantly went viral across social media, triggering passionate discussions—ranging from condemnation and sarcasm to understanding and support. After all, we’re not just talking about any streamer here, but a defining figure of an entire Counter-Strike era.
Lobanjica Rings the Alarm: “Hypocrisy at Every Turn”
One of the first to weigh in was former pro player and prominent analyst Nemanja “Lobanjica” Plisic. His tweet gained thousands of likes and even more engagement:
CS2 community shocked when s1mple mentions casino streams. “HE WILL LOSE MY RESPECT”
Same CS2 community hyped to watch 3 streamers unboxing $300,000 without the gamba category or any censorship.
Oh yea and every CS2 major has been funded by gamba sponsors (every talent is paid… pic.twitter.com/uyQ812HsTy
— Lobanjica (@LobanjicaCS) July 22, 2025
Loba essentially accused the community of blatant hypocrisy: condemning casino streams while simultaneously celebrating massive case unboxings and ignoring the fact that top teams, analysts, and even the biggest tournaments are backed by betting sponsors.
Community Reactions: Support, Sarcasm, and Outrage
What followed was a flood of comments, showcasing a deep divide in how fans and creators perceive the issue.
Support for s1mple
- SnafFPS: “THANK YOU OMG… being financially set for life and making your family financially secure is way more important. If that’s what he wants to do and the money is there—why not?”
- HelmAndHammer: “Hypocrisy everywhere everyday”
- Dennis: “Stream with s1mple?”
Many fans came to s1mple’s defense, arguing that financial freedom trumps performative morality—especially when the scene itself violates its own supposed principles every day.
Sarcasm and Disapproval
- Stefan Flashdeck: “Even Loba fell for this”
- SEKO: “This game only exists thanks to gambling”
- CCRust_: “How people accept gambling when it’s ingame but not when it’s outside is baffling. And Heyzeus condemns everyone while opening cases himself ”
- DabMasterDaniel took it even further: “@valvesoftware @steam employees support AND ENABLE scamming”
The overarching sentiment: the culture of gambling is so deeply woven into CS2 that talking about “moral standards” without acknowledging that reality is, itself, hypocritical. Valve, Twitch, tournament organizers, teams, and players—all participate in an ecosystem whose foundation is gambling revenue.
The Core Issue: Double Standards in CS2
The Counter-Strike industry has long become a commercial engine where profit often outweighs ethics. The main points of this debate include:
- Tournaments are funded by bookmakers: 1xBet, GG.bet, BetBoom, and others are regular sponsors of Majors, ESL, and BLAST.
- Players and influencers have affiliate codes for case opening sites: even Major winners promote these platforms.
- Twitch allows case-opening streams but bans casino streams: despite the fact that case openings are essentially a form of gambling.
- Fans condemn one thing while celebrating another: when s1mple hints at casinos, it’s “immoral”; but when streamers unbox $300,000 worth of cases—it’s “entertainment.”
What’s Next?
s1mple has not issued any further statements—he likely wasn’t entirely serious about entering the gambling business. However, the reaction to his words served as a litmus test for the growing trust crisis within the CS2 ecosystem.
This controversy is less about s1mple and more about the entire community—one that demands morality from others, but is quick to look the other way when profit is on the line.
The discussion around s1mple’s remark is not just a fleeting Twitter drama—it reflects a far deeper issue. The CS2 world stands at a crossroads: either acknowledge that gambling is part of the system and start regulating it transparently, or continue operating under a veil of double standards, where case openings are “fine” and casino streams are “taboo.” One thing is certain—s1mple once again got everyone talking. And, as always, he did it with maximum impact.
