Overview
- Attorney General Letitia James filed the state-court complaint in Manhattan, alleging Valve’s loot boxes violate New York gambling laws in Counter-Strike 2, Team Fortress 2, and Dota 2.
- James calls the system “quintessential gambling” and seeks a permanent injunction, restitution to players, disgorgement, and a fine equal to three times Valve’s alleged gains.
- The complaint details case-and-key purchases and slot-style opening animations with near‑miss visuals that prosecutors say encourage repeated spending.
- The filing argues Valve profits from both key sales and Steam Community Market fees, citing an investigator who sold a skin, used the wallet funds to buy a Steam Deck, then resold the device for cash.
- Reports highlight a massive skins economy—Counter-Strike items were estimated near $4.3 billion last year, with rare skins selling for over $1 million—while Valve has not yet commented.