Valve moves to dismiss Counter-Strike gambling lawsuit in New York
Courthouse News • • technology
Key Points:
- Valve seeks dismissal of a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, who accuses the company of promoting unregulated gambling through loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2.
- Valve argues that loot boxes are akin to common collectible items like baseball cards or cereal box toys, which involve randomized items but are not considered illegal gambling.
- The company warns that deeming loot boxes illegal could have broad implications for everyday commercial transactions involving surprise items and collectibles.
- New York's lawsuit targets a $4 billion market in in-game items and seeks triple damages and a ban on loot box sales in the state.
- Valve has faced similar regulatory changes abroad but maintains that no U.S. state has previously criminalized mystery boxes, asserting its practices comply with the law.