Valve Loses Gambling Lawsuit in Austria

A Counterstrike player in Austria has won a lawsuit against game developer Valve. The player must be repaid €14,096.58, the amount spent on Lootboxes.

Lawsuit Against Valve

A player in Austria sued Valve, winning the case. The player specified the random content of Lootboxes, investing over €14,000. This action violates Austria’s gambling laws since buyers don’t know the contents before purchasing. Valve also lacks an online gambling license in Austria. The verdict is not final, but Valve’s chances of winning an appeal and avoiding the payment are slim.

Lootbox Lawsuits and Verdicts

Other game developers, like Electronic Arts (EA), have also had to pay players due to lawsuits related to Lootboxes. In August 2023, EA had to repay over €10,000 to an Austrian player due to the FIFA game’s Lootbox system. In the US, a father sued over illegal Lootboxes in Mario Kart Tour, where his son used his credit card to purchase around €170 worth of Lootboxes.

Claimants Celebrate Victory

Austrian lawyers celebrated the verdict as a win against Valve. The judge’s understanding of video games played a crucial role in the lawsuit’s success. However, players’ behavior in purchasing Lootboxes may be questioned, especially for adults who should be aware of the random nature of the purchases. Filing a lawsuit based on gambling laws may be controversial.