Valve finds itself back in legal hot water, facing two new lawsuits over loot boxes in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Counter-Strike 2. Filed by the law firm Hagens Berman, these complaints represent players from Washington and Texas, echoing claims from an earlier suit this month. Plaintiffs argue that most loot box openings yield worthless items, turning the $2.49 price tag into a gamble for a chance at rare, high-value skins.
Legal Pressure Mounts-And Minors Are in the Crossfire
The new lawsuit names Ivan Galas (Washington) and Robert Brogan (Texas) as plaintiffs. Both spent money on Counter-Strike loot boxes, with Brogan also purchasing boxes for his underage son. While the complaint doesn’t introduce new claims about minors, the involvement of a child could intensify scrutiny over whether Valve is enabling illegal gambling for kids. Hagens Berman is actively seeking more affected players, stating on its website: “Did you or your child spend money opening loot boxes in Counter-Strike, Dota 2, or Team Fortress 2? Valve may have profited from illegal gambling – and children are among those most at risk.”
The lawsuits don’t specify exact spending amounts but seek damages for all similarly affected players, with the total amount in dispute exceeding $5 million (excluding interest and costs).
Valve Pushes Back-But the Stakes Are Rising
Valve hasn’t responded directly to Hagens Berman but recently denied similar allegations from New York’s Attorney General. The company compares loot boxes to baseball or Pokémon cards and says it actively combats third-party gambling sites. In a public Steam statement, Valve said: “Valve does not cooperate with gambling sites. To date we’ve locked over one million Steam accounts that were being misused by third parties in connection with gambling, fraud, and theft.”
Legal experts are watching closely. Adam Starr, General Counsel at Do Big Studios (a major Roblox developer), highlighted the case’s potential ripple effects on platforms like Roblox and Fortnite. He noted that Washington state-where Valve is headquartered-has some of the broadest gambling laws in the US and has previously secured significant settlements from sweepstakes casinos.
Secondary Markets and Platform Differences
A key issue is Counter-Strike’s secondary skin market, where rare items can be traded or sold for real money. This contrasts with Roblox and Fortnite, which prohibit such transactions in their terms of service. Starr also pointed out that Roblox and Fortnite use in-game currencies (Robux, V-Bucks) rather than direct cash for loot box purchases, which could influence how courts interpret gambling claims.
Meanwhile, Roblox faces a separate lawsuit alleging it enables Robux gambling on third-party sites. The company denies responsibility, but CEO David Baszucki has publicly expressed openness to incorporating gambling mechanics into the platform. In California, a judge has already allowed negligence claims against Roblox to proceed in a parent-led suit.
The bottom line
- Valve’s loot box system is under legal scrutiny, with risks tied to gambling laws and underage players.
- How courts define digital gambling could reshape the sale of skins and loot boxes in major games.
- Players who bought loot boxes in Counter-Strike, Dota 2, or Team Fortress 2 might be eligible to join the lawsuit.