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The Dutch government recently classified the loot box systems of certain games as being in violation of its gambling laws. While there were no specific names mentioned, authorities in the country did promise to prosecute companies and individuals for continued violations. As a result, Valve had to pull Item Trading and Marketplace transfers through its Steam platform for “Counter-Strike: Global Offensive” (CS: GO) and “DOTA 2.”
The company notified its players in the country about the changes with a message that it was contacted by Dutch authorities over its violations of gambling laws. Both “CS: GO” and “DOTA 2” were apparently specifically named as games that needed to change their loot box systems. A copy of the message was posted in a thread on Reddit.
“[F]or now our only practical alternative is to disable trading and Steam Marketplace transfers for CS: GO and Dota 2 items for Dutch customers. We apologize to you for this inconvenience. We hope that, after more engagement with the Kansspelautoriteit, they may refine their legal demands and we can find a solution that is less inconvenient,” the letter explains.
As PC Gamer reports, companies tagged by the Dutch authorities for violating its gambling laws had until June 20 to comply with its demands for changing their loot box systems. That deadline just arrived and Valve was the first to have been revealed to comply.
The country’s Gaming Authority also issued a press release yesterday, noting how it would follow up with the companies on its list of violators, Eurogamer reports. Aside from the two games from Valve mentioned above, many believe that “FIFA 18” and “PUBG” also need to change their systems. As of this writing, however, there have been no signs that EA or PUBG Corp. have decided to comply.
It will be interesting to see how the Dutch authorities are going to handle this affair going forward. Although threats of prosecution have been made, the companies making these games just might think they are untouchable.
