Earlier this year, Valve was forced to pull item trading from its games in The Netherlands, and later, Belgium. This was after a law introduced in both countries which placed certain kinds of loot box transactions illegal, likened to online gambling. Under the new Betting and Gaming Act, Valve pulled its Dota 2 loot boxes and Counter-Strike Global Offensive loot boxes. Rather than face a potential fine, Valve decided it was easier to quickly pull support on Steam trading for these games.
Now, however, loot boxes have returned to Dota 2. Found by a Reddit user, Valve appears to have simply changed the way in which it handles loot boxes in The Netherlands. Instead of disabling item trading, Valve has re-introduced Dota 2 loot boxes. This time, though, you are told what’s in the loot box before you buy it and open it. Valve has also made it so Dutch players can purchase only one loot box at a time. Steam Marketplace trading for any Dota 2 loot box contents is still disabled, however.
Valve will be hoping that the long arm of the law doesn’t come crashing down now. Loot boxes themselves aren’t illegal in The Netherlands. With the introduction of the Betting and Gaming Act by the Kansspelautoriteit, the placement of real-world value onto items received by chance is legally dubious, at least. Disabling Steam Marketplace and trading of items received via Dota 2 loot boxes should be a solid compromise.
After the initial change in the law, Valve made it clear that they don’t agree with the Kansspelautoriteit. Valve doesn’t “understand or agree with the Kansspelautoriteit’s legal conclusion.” Hopefully, this new compromise means that players after loot boxes in Dota 2 are satisfied.
While Dota 2 loot boxes have returned, CS: GO players haven’t been granted the same liberty. Oddly, Steam Marketplace trading is allowed for CS: GO. Loot boxes are still disabled in the region for it, however. Perhaps Valve is hoping to find the correct solution by trying both compromises on two different titles?
