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Since ancient times, warriors have used their appearance to intimidate their enemies and stand out among their peers. A long time has passed but the spirit of warfare remains the same for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive players.
Launched in 2012, CS:GO indirectly created a whole new market based on skins, which grew exponentially throughout the years and surpassed the multi-million-dollar mark.
These purely cosmetic items affect no player’s performance but they can make you look unique and even create a halo effect, depending on the quality and rarity of the skin. Several reasons explain the feverish chase for CS:GO skins, including:
- They strengthen your confidence and combat spirit
- They help you express your personality
- They come in various degrees of rarity, conditions, and price
- They look absolutely neat
Obtaining CS:GO skins in 2022 became a challenge, as the market’s law of supply and demand transformed them into highly valuable digital assets. However, there are still a few ways you can go through to obtain skins for free.
In this guide, you will find an in-depth review of the concept of skins, how they are valued, and what you can do to get CS:GO skins without paying a dime for them.
The Rise of CSGO Skins
Before we dive into the methods to get CS:GO skins for free, it is crucial to take a look back and understand how these cosmetic items were introduced in the game and how they have impacted the whole iGaming industry.
The addition of skins to CS:GO was one of the most important milestones in the history of online games. Valve Corp. originally launched CS:GO in 2012 but kept updating the game with new maps, weapons, and game modes.
Released on August 2013, the “Arms Deal” update brought the first skins to the CS:GO. At the first moment, players could only get skins by obtaining virtual keys that would unlock cases.
Later, users were granted the possibility to upload user-created content (including skins) to Steam’s Workshop support. Many of these items were added to the game and obtained through case openings.
These were the initial steps of a virtual economy that eventually evolved outside of the game itself and gave origin to an immense industry of gambling, betting, and trading websites solely focused on CS:GO skins.
Why Are CSGO Skin Prices Discrepant?
Currently, the greatest obstacle for many CS:GO players who want to get good skins is the price paid for them. Most items considered “high-tier” cost several hundred or even thousands of dollars, which is by no means affordable to many players.
Several factors have a direct impact on the price discrepancy between different CS:GO skins, such as:
- The ever-increasing popularity of skins as valuable digital assets
- The desirability of specific items
- The growing demand for skins with particular characteristics (e.g., pattern, finish, colors, etc.)
- The massive influx of players from China and its “inflation” effect on skin markets
- The recent move of crypto miners that decided to liquidate crypto in the form of skins
All CS:GO items come with a default look, which is referred to as a “Vanilla” weapon, knife, or glove. If you want to upgrade a simple item with a new skin, you may have to spend tens of dollars on a low-tier item.
How to Get CSGO Skins for Free in 2022 – Feasible Methods Only
It is plain to see that not everyone can afford to spend huge amounts of money on skins and many players are not willing to put hard-earned money on the line in exchange for intangible items as well.
How could you bulk up your inventory without necessarily paying for new skins? We have your back! In this section, we will dive into the best methods to build a CS:GO inventory from scratch with little to no investment.
Depending on your willingness to go through the process and spend the required amount of time, you can build a solid skin portfolio without paying a single additional buck for it.
Please note that it is not possible to get the rarest skins in the market for free. Hence, do not expect to fill out a query and get a Karambit Case Hardened Blue Gem or a Souvenir AWP Dragon Lore in exchange.
Going Through Paid Surveys
Many websites reward users for answering paid surveys in different segments, which is not different for CS:GO fans. There are well-established platforms that allow you to participate in surveys and complete small tasks in exchange for CS:GO skins.
The first step is to find a reliable website. Just choose your favorite search engine and choose survey websites based on their reputation and efficiency. As long as act smartly, you will not get into trouble.
Once you find a website of your preference, you need to sign up. In most cases, you can sign up using your Steam account or a social media account (e.g., Facebook, Twitter, Discord, Google).
After registering an account, you can immediately start to earn points by completing simple tasks like:
- Answering paid surveys
- Playing games
- Watching videos
- Testing software
You can either go through all existing tasks or focus on a niche that suits your preferences. Once you have collected sufficient points, you can redeem them for CS:GO skins.
A valuable tip is to look at other users’ reviews before registering on a website and identify the standard timeframe required for withdrawals. If a website does not deliver your redeemed skins within 24 hours, it is a red flag.
Most survey platforms also offer built-in shop features that allow users to redeem other rewards, such as gift cards for Steam and famous third-party skin marketplaces.
Just Keep on Playing CS:GO
Although it might sound a little obvious, it is finely possible to get skins simply by spending more time playing CS:GO. Since 2013, Valve’s drop system rewards the luckiest players with a wide range of skins.
Depending on the type of skin you drop, you can make good money out of it. Keep in money that most drops will not grant you the world’s shiniest skins, as the value of most standard in-game skins may not surpass a few bucks.
On a good day, however, lucky players can score some rare drops and sell them on third-party marketplaces for at least a few hundred dollars.
Another form of scoring a hit while playing CS:GO is relying on cases. Recently, there are thousands of websites focused solely on case openings, upgrades, and case battles, but all these features are paid out.
Even though it is not as easy as simply choosing a case and paying for it, you can still open cases on CS:GO. Valve regularly launches new weapon cases, which allows you to play smartly.
Make sure to play CS:GO on the day of new case launches and cross your fingers to get lucky. If you drop a case from the newly-launched collection, you can either keep or sell it for real cash to get the most value out of the move.
Promotions and Bonuses on CSGO Gambling Websites
Since 2015, the number of CS:GO websites focused exclusively on CSGO skin gambling and betting simply exploded. The abundance of new sites resulted in extreme competition to attract new players and maintain them wagering with full loyalty.
As a solution, many of these sites started to grant generous bonuses and create promotions to boost the players’ willingness to wager more and more. This strategy rapidly proved to be utterly efficient, as CS:GO gamblers were never so eager to bet.
However, a simple question remains – how can I get free skins if I have to gamble my money away? Not necessarily. The strategy is simple – several websites offer no deposit bonuses, such as free cases or free coins.
You can use these bonuses to gamble up to a small amount, which you can multiply by playing safe. All you need to do is sign up using a Steam account, claim a no-deposit bonus, and wager on your favorite games – Crash, Roulette, Dice, Coinflip, etc.
As long as you play safe, you can slowly multiply your earnings. Many of these websites also allow you to upgrade low-tier skins for significantly better skins. Once your portfolio gets too bulky with not-so-good skins obtained in surveys and other methods, you can use upgrade features to trade them up.
Another resourceful way to get free skins on gambling sites is to participate in referral programs. Generally, many of these sites allow you to create a unique referral code and share it with your friends, family, and anyone else.
For each code redeemed, the website pays you a small percentage of the amount wagered by your referrals. Once you have accumulated enough coins, you can exchange them for free CS:GO skins and withdraw them.
Many CS:GO gambling sites also offer regular giveaways, raffles, and lottery-based promotions through their social media channels. Hence, players have the chance to participate and get exquisite skins if they are lucky enough.
Depending on how generous a gambling website is, it may grant players free skin drops or even free coin drops, which users can later exchange for skins.
Obtaining Skins in Tournaments
Since the Counter-Strike was nothing more than a spin-off of Half-Life, players got together in tournaments to determine who were the world’s best players. The years went by and the competitive level in the CS:GO segment only grew further.
Nowadays, you can either find non-prized tournaments or prized tournaments. If you have good skills as a CS:GO player, take your time to follow different tournament leagues and pay attention to their schedule of events.
Many prized tournaments require players to put down an entry amount, which is not what you’re looking for. Instead, focus solely on free entry tournaments that give you the chance to drop solid rewards.
Depending on your level of experience and ability, you might benefit from participating in smaller non-prize tournaments to become “battle-tested” and level up your skills before facing highly-skilled players.
Some entry-free tournament websites allow you to use your gaming skills to brawl your guts out and win high-quality prizes in games like:
- CS:GO
- Dota 2
- Valorant
- PUBG
You can explore the website and find different leagues, tournaments, and matches. Once you become acquainted, you can either join a team or play lone-wolf-mode-on in multiplayer competitions and 1 vs. 1 matches.
Most prizes are paid out in real cash, but you can also find competitions prized with CS:GO skins. Depending on the site’s mechanism, the waiting period for withdrawals and fee requirements may vary.
Either way, you can use prize money won for free to get new skins or get new skins without necessarily paying for them – as long as you are good enough of a player, it is a win-win game!
Completing Official Missions on CS:GO Operations
Although it is the rarest way to get skins for free, it is worth mentioning the possibility of taking part in CS:GO operations. In essence, these are purchasable DLCs set up by Valve Corp. with exclusive official content.
These events do not happen regularly, and most players will tell you it has been forever since the last Operation took place. However, the motto is “never say never.” Each event is available only for a limited period, but the cases and skins launched with the mission are still available after the period is over.
As expected, players who engage in Operation Missions must complete different tasks to receive stars. These badge-like items can be redeemed in the form of Operation cases or random skins.
Checking the Sources – Essential Tips on How to Get CSGO Skins for Free
Knowing the solutions to obtain new skins online is excellent, but you cannot make the most out of them without following a set of good practices. First, it is fundamental to double-check the authenticity of any third-party sites used to get skins for free.
Many skin chasers get lured by the number of options available, signing up for any beguiling proposals without a proper checkup. Before you register with a website, do your research to identify:
- The reputation of the website
- How users rate their experience
- The website’s origin and background
- Whether the website suffered hacks or was involved in fraud
- Whether the website has proper security tools (e.g., SSL encryption)
- The existence of malware or suspicious activity
- How safe withdrawal methods available are
- How efficient withdrawal methods available are
You will not have problems finding legit websites where you can get CS:GO skins for free but make sure they are legit before signing up and providing any information. Another important aspect is to identify whether a specific website is available in your location.
Several paid survey platforms have region-locked tasks, while most CS:GO gambling/betting sites have some sort of restriction in different countries. In many cases, it is possible to rely on a solid VPN (Virtual Private Network) service, but this decision is exclusively up to the player.
Unless you are a professional CS:GO player, you certainly cannot afford to spend countless hours seeking skins for free. Accordingly, it is important to assess whether the method chosen suits your need and identify its cost-benefit compared to the time you spend with it.
If you opt for a certain method to get free skins but it does not have a positive time-to-money ratio, the best approach is to find an alternative way.
A good way to optimize your chase for free skins is to rely on mobile-friendly platforms. This way, you can continue to seek free skins on the go without affecting your daily schedule.
F.A.Q about the Best Methods to Get CSGO Skins for Free – Updated 2022
With sufficient time and effort, it is possible to get a decent CS:GO inventory without necessarily spending thousands of dollars. To close down this guide, we provide you with clear-cut answers to the most frequent questions about how one can get CS:GO skins for free. Enjoy!
Are There Legit Ways to get CSGO Skins for Free?
Yes, you can obtain CS:GO skins for free without scams or fraudulent methods. In our guide, we compiled the best methods to teach you how to get new skins without involving your budget. Give it a read and choose the best method for your case.
How to Identify Whether a Free Skin Site is Safe?
Many websites offer different methods for players to get skins for free, but not all of them are safe. Before you sign up for a specific site, make sure to follow our checkup list to verify the level of security and reliability.
Can I Get Rare Skins for Free?
It is possible to get rare skins for free, but it seldomly occurs. While your all-free collection will certainly not feature the world’s rarest CS:GO items, you can easily build up a stack good enough to impress other players.