Valve sued over loot boxes as state of New York demands "full restitution" for players: "Valve's loot boxes pose the same dangers as casino gambling, especially for children"
New York state is suing Valve, alleging its loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike and Dota 2 constitute illegal gambling.Summary
The state of New York has filed a lawsuit against Valve Corporation, claiming that the company’s use of loot boxes in popular franchises such as Counter-Strike and Dota 2 is a form of illegal gambling. According to a summons filed by Attorney General Letitia James, Valve intentionally designed its free-to-play games to be profitable through a “gambling” model, generating billions of dollars from virtual item markets. The lawsuit argues that Valve’s loot box system, where players pay for a chance to win valuable items, mirrors the mechanics of casino gambling and poses significant risks, particularly to children. New York alleges that Valve has profited substantially from New York residents purchasing keys to open loot boxes, and is seeking “full restitution” for players.
(Source：GamesRadar+)