Valve Faces Illegal Gambling Allegations in the U.S. Over CS and Dota 2 Loot Boxes

^{Pictured: Loot boxes from CS:GO}

Video game developer and publisher Valve is facing a new lawsuit in the United States over the use of loot box mechanics in its games. Law firm Hagens Berman has filed a class-action complaint in a federal court in Washington state on behalf of users from across the country.

The lawsuit alleges that Valve knowingly facilitated illegal gambling through loot box systems featured in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2.

The plaintiffs are seeking refunds for users who purchased loot boxes and are also asking the court to halt the use of the mechanic in the company’s games.

The case concerns virtual containers that provide players with randomly generated items once opened. These items are typically cosmetic — such as weapon skins* — and do not affect gameplay. However, some rare variants can be highly valuable. Certain Counter-Strike items, for example, have been sold for hundreds or even thousands of dollars. The overall market for Counter-Strike in-game items is estimated to exceed $4 billion.

The lawsuit further claims that Valve supports a broader ecosystem for trading virtual items, including its own Steam Community Market as well as third-party websites where such items can be sold for real money.

The complaint also highlights that loot box mechanics are widely used by underage players. According to the plaintiffs, this increases the risk of developing gambling-like behaviors among minors.

Gambling Park notes that the Hagens Berman class action was filed shortly after another legal challenge against Valve. In late February, the New York State Attorney General also filed a lawsuit accusing the company of illegally promoting gambling.

* Cosmetic item: a virtual item that changes the appearance of a weapon or equipment without affecting gameplay and may carry market value.