Gambling
Ongoing coverage on Gambling.
Latest coverage
Mario Kart Tour is now 18+ in Brazil
Mario Kart Tour's age rating in Brazil has been increased to 18+ due to concerns over gambling and loot box mechanics. This change follows similar actions in other countries and the game's previous ban in Belgium. Nintendo is also removing gacha elements from the game later this month.
Why Risk Keeps Us Coming Back to Play - Walkthrough, Tips, Review
This article analyzes the role of risk in video games, explaining how meaningful uncertainty enhances player engagement and makes choices feel personal. It contrasts this with gambling, where risk is tied to real money, and discusses how game designers leverage psychological principles like near misses and the pursuit of mastery to frame risk effectively. The piece advises players to be aware of the difference between healthy challenges and manipulative design.
Scritchy Scratchy Is a Scratch Card Incremental Game Where Luck Is Your Weapon!
Scritchy Scratchy is a new mobile incremental game that simulates scratch cards, where players test their luck to earn in-game currency. The game features upgrades that alter gameplay, an automated scratching assistant called Scratch Bot, and a progression system using Jack Points for permanent upgrades after resets. It is available on the Google Play Store for $4.99.
Developer sues publisher after leaving backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding lootboxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2. The company stated it does not believe these lootboxes constitute illegal gambling for minors and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite Valve's efforts to educate the Attorney General's office since early 2023.
Bloodgrounds Graduates to the Arena: Full Release Adds Crafting and Gambling
Bloodgrounds has officially launched version 1.0, exiting Early Access with new crafting and gambling systems. The crafting system allows players to forge weapons and armor with quality dependent on cost, while the gambling system offers a risky dice game with purchasable advantages. Daedalic Entertainment frames these additions as integral to a gladiator's character development and journey.
PEGI ratings for game releases in Europe will be age-restricted if they contain loot boxes
PEGI, the Pan-European Game Information system, is implementing new age rating rules starting June 2026 that will restrict games containing loot boxes and other gambling-like mechanics. The updated criteria will assign ratings such as PEGI 7, 12, 16, or 18 based on the presence and nature of in-game purchases, random items, and communication features. These changes aim to inform parents about potentially addictive or risky game elements.
Betting Big Without the Real Cash: the Benefits of Xbox Casino Games in 2026
Xbox casino games offer a free way to experience the thrill of gambling, with titles like The Four Kings Casino and Slots and Prominence Poker providing virtual casino environments and social interaction. While these games simulate the casino experience, they do not replicate the Return to Player (RTP) or volatility of real-money casino games.
Valve argues mystery boxes are 'widely used' in the tangible world
Valve is arguing against the New York Attorney General's lawsuit that claims its games promote illegal gambling through loot boxes. The company asserts that these mystery boxes are widely used in both video games and the physical world, comparing them to baseball card packs and blind boxes. Valve also stated that it does not cooperate with gambling sites and has locked over one million Steam accounts involved in such activities.
Valve Breaks Silence Over NY Attorney General Lawsuit, Says Loot Boxes Are Like Baseball Cards, Pokémon, Magic the Gathering, and Labubu - IGN
Valve has responded to a lawsuit from the New York Attorney General, arguing that loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 are akin to baseball cards or Pokémon cards and do not constitute illegal gambling. The company stated that virtual items are cosmetic, transferable, and that they actively combat the use of their items on gambling sites. Valve expressed concerns about the AG's demands, which they believe go beyond existing law and could negatively impact users and developers.
Loot boxes are used not just in video games, argues Valve
Valve has responded to the New York Attorney General's lawsuit, arguing that loot boxes in their games do not constitute illegal gambling and do not encourage minors to gamble. The company stated that they have been educating the NYAG about their virtual items since early 2023 and that loot boxes are also prevalent in physical collectibles like baseball cards and Pokémon packs. Valve also defended their item transfer system, stating it benefits consumers by allowing them to trade unwanted items, and expressed concerns about the invasive technologies required to verify user locations and ages.
Valve Fights Back: Loot Boxes Are Just Digital Trading Cards, Company Claims
Valve Corporation is defending its loot box model in a New York lawsuit, comparing them to physical trading cards like Magic: The Gathering. The company argues that the digital nature does not change the collectible and discovery experience. Critics, however, highlight concerns about transparency, potential addiction, and the real-world financial implications of digital item marketplaces.
Valve Responds to NY State Lawsuit
Valve has issued a public response to a lawsuit filed by New York State, which accuses the company of its loot box mechanics constituting illegal gambling. The company's statement was posted on Steam, addressing the allegations.
Valve says New York Attorney General's violent videogame fearmongering is 'a distraction and a mischaracterization we’ve all heard before'
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General concerning loot boxes, calling the claims of illegal gambling a mischaracterization. The company also criticized the Attorney General's unrelated comments linking violent video games to real-world gun violence, stating that numerous studies have found no such connection and that these remarks are a distraction.
Valve speaks out about New York loot box lawsuit in rare attempt at damage control, saying ‘it would have been bad for users and other game developers’ to preempt situation
Valve has publicly addressed the lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General regarding loot boxes, describing them as gambling. The company stated that the AG's proposed changes to its business operations would have negatively impacted users and developers on Steam, affecting privacy and the ability to trade in-game items.
"Valve does not cooperate with gambling sites" - Counter-Strike publishers issue rare public defence of lootbox mechanics, following New York lawsuit
Valve has publicly defended its lootbox mechanics in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 against a lawsuit alleging illegal gambling. The company argues that these mechanics are not unique, do not provide in-game advantages, and that they have actively worked to combat gambling on their platform. Valve also stated they would comply with future legislation but disagreed with the proposed measures, believing they would harm users and developers.
Developer sues publisher after leaving Kickstarter backers waiting over two years for promised physical editions
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 constitute illegal gambling. The company stated it has been educating the NYAG about its virtual items since early 2023 and believes the transferability of digital items is a consumer right. Valve also addressed separate legal proceedings initiated by the Performing Right Society over alleged unlicensed use of music on Steam.
Valve comes out swinging against New York lawsuit with rare public statement: 'The type of deal that would satisfy the NYAG would have been bad for users and other game developers'
Valve has publicly responded to a lawsuit filed by the New York Attorney General, defending its practices regarding in-game loot boxes and stating they do not constitute illegal gambling under state law. The company highlighted its efforts to combat fraud and theft related to virtual items and expressed concern that the AG's demands would negatively impact users and other developers.
Valve responds to NY Attorney General lawsuit: "We have serious concerns with the alterations the NYAG claims are necessary to make to our games"
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York Attorney General Letitia James, disputing claims that loot boxes in Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and Team Fortress 2 unlawfully encourage minors to gamble. Valve stated it does not believe its virtual items violate gambling laws and expressed disappointment that the lawsuit proceeded despite their efforts to educate the NYAG. The company also addressed concerns about the transferability of digital items and invasive data collection proposed by the NYAG.
Valve defends loot boxes in response to New York's lawsuit
Valve has responded to a lawsuit filed by New York's attorney general accusing the company of promoting illegal gambling through loot boxes in games like Counter-Strike 2 and Dota 2. Valve defended its use of mystery boxes, comparing them to physical trading cards and emphasizing that the items are purely cosmetic and transferable, arguing that removing transferability would harm consumers.
Valve faces a second lawsuit over game lockboxes as it argues that they’re exactly like trading card packs
Valve is facing a second lawsuit, this time a class action in Washington state, concerning its in-game lockbox monetization. The lawsuit alleges that these lockboxes are designed to mimic slot machines and employ psychological mechanisms similar to casinos. Valve has previously compared lockboxes to trading card packs in response to a similar lawsuit filed by the New York attorney general.