Quinault Nation files a lawsuit against ValveCorporation, claiming the company has been facilitating skin gamblingValve denies allegations, but Quinault Nationclaims that Valve has been benefitting from the illicit skin trade for yearsSkin gambling is illegal, but some sitescontinue to offer such options
Valve is again embroiled in a legal spat for allegedly facilitatingand benefitting from skin gambling. The Washington State-based Quinault Nation nativeIndian tribe has rolled its sleeves up to take on Valve.
Valve Sued for Illegal Skin Gambling by Quinault Nation
Skin gambling has been around for quite some time. In 2016, Eilers & Krejcik Gaming posted a detailed report that projected the growth of skin gambling to surpass $1 billion in net value in 2020. The report had to be changed shortly after publication, as Valve moved on to clamp down on a dozen online skin betting websites.
Valve was responding to a class-action lawsuit which had accused the company was of facilitating underage gambling. Blomberg ran a very extensive piece on the subject, bringing the idea of gambling with make believe goods into the mainstream.
In honesty, Valve stepped up its act and has been inexorablein taking legal action against the offenders, warning miscreants of therepercussions should they continue to dabble in the forbidden segment.
Therefore, the lawsuit lodged by Washington State native Indiantribe Quinault Nation seems to beunfair. The tribe is alleging that Valve continues to promote betting with skinson Counter-Strike Global Offensive(CS:GO) – which has never been the case.
According to the Tribe, this has led to unfair competition, other than the segment being illegal. If you are still a shade unfamiliar with what skins are, these are cosmetic items used in online gaming to give your avatar a distinct appearance.
The interest in them has been surging and with it theopportunities to exploit players and even the company that issues the product.
What Does the Tribe Want?
The incredulity of the lawsuit lies in the fact that Quinault Nation speaks of unfair competition, but Valve hasn’t been involved in any form of skin top646 gambling. If anything, the company has tried to shut down illegal operators – something that is far from its obligations.
“Valve is well aware of the skins gambling that goes on, is well aware that skins have real world cash value…and actively encourages and facilitates skins gambling.”
However, Quinault Nation is taking advantage of the fact that Washington State tends to come down hard on anything that even resembles gambling. Even in 2016, lawyers said that even though Valve is not technically to blame, they could be vulnerable, especially when no precedents existed.
Valve is no stranger to the idea of gambling as the means toboost viewership and interest in its products. Recently, the company released abetting platform for Dota 2 powered with a mock-up currency which doesn’ttranslate into any real-world value.
Of course, policing the Internet is a tall order and Valveprobably should step up its efforts. To be blamed for themalicious acts of third-parties by companies that hold gambling monopoly,though, is hypocritical to say the least.
