Physical Steam gift cards are being ended by Valve because scammers keep using them to trick people
Eurogamer • • general
Key Points:
- Valve has announced it will stop producing physical Steam gift cards, with current retail stock expected to run out by the end of 2026.
- Physical Steam gift cards, introduced in 2012, were initially the only option until digital cards were added in 2017 to help users without credit cards access the Steam marketplace.
- The decision to end physical cards stems from ongoing issues with scammers exploiting gift cards to defraud users, despite Valve's multiple efforts to combat fraud.
- Valve has implemented various anti-fraud measures, including retailer cooperation, law enforcement collaboration, usage restrictions, and scam warnings on cards, but scammers have continued to adapt.
- After physical cards are phased out, digital Steam gift cards will remain the sole option for adding funds to Steam wallets.