Particle.news
Download on the App Store

New York Sues Valve Over Loot Boxes, Alleging Illegal Gambling

The case argues Valve’s loot‑box system meets New York’s gambling definition, with risks to minors central to the claim.

Overview

  • Attorney General Letitia James filed the civil suit in Manhattan seeking a permanent injunction, restitution to players, disgorgement, and a fine equal to three times alleged gains.
  • The complaint details paid keys to open randomized cases, slot‑style animations in Counter‑Strike 2, and Valve’s fees from the Steam Community Market alongside alleged facilitation of third‑party cashouts.
  • Prosecutors cite research on youth addiction risk and describe the features as “particularly pernicious” due to popularity among children and teens.
  • Filing references the scale of the item economy, including a reported seven‑figure Counter‑Strike skin sale, and an OAG investigator’s example converting a skin into $180 cash via a Steam Deck purchase and resale.
  • Valve has not responded to requests for comment, while legal analysts say New York faces a challenging path even as Steam’s official resale market could heighten Valve’s exposure.