Valve Defeats Parents’ Appeal in ‘Loot Box’ Gambling Suit

Parents who alleged Valve Corp.'s failure to disclose gambling-like features in video games caused their teens to spend the parents’ money didn’t link the company’s conduct to their alleged financial losses, the Ninth Circuit affirmed.

Grace Galway and Brenda Shoss raised claims under the Washington Consumer Protection Act, alleged that the loot box feature in Valve’s Counter-Strike: Global Offensive game constituted illegal underage gambling.

• Loot boxes are virtual grab-bags of game enhancements acquired with virtual currency that’s either collected during game play or purchased with real money
• The plaintiffs alleged Valve unwittingly induced them to give money to their children ...