In 2011, we added a feature to Steam that enabled users to trade in-game items as a way to make it easier for people to get the items they wanted in games featuring in-game economies.

Since then a number of gambling sites started leveraging the Steam trading system, and there’s been some false assumptions about our involvement with these sites. We’d like to clarify that we have no business relationships with any of these sites. We have never received any revenue from them. And Steam does not have a system for turning in-game items into real world currency.

These sites have basically pieced together their operations in two-part fashion. First, they are using the OpenID API as a way for users to prove ownership of their Steam accounts and items. Any other information they obtain about a user's Steam account is either manually disclosed by the user or obtained from the user’s Steam Community profile (when the user has chosen to make their profile public). Second, they create automated Steam accounts that make the same web calls as individual Steam users.

Using the OpenID API and making the same web calls as Steam users to run a gambling business is not allowed by our API nor our user agreements. We are going to start sending notices to these sites requesting they cease operations through Steam, and further pursue the matter as necessary. Users should probably consider this information as they manage their in-game item inventory and trade activity.

-Erik Johnson

http://store.steampowered.com/news/22883/

It's about time. I can't believe Valve didn't forsee this.

I guess after that whole Tmartn mess, it had to be done.

Valve only ever reacts to major disasters. About all the small disasters they couldn't care less, so screw them.

Better late than never. Valve responds pretty quickly when there is a blow out going on. Specially if they have a lawsuit as well. Now if only we can do something about Half Life 3

Now the kids can spend their money on lunch!

It took way too long for this, but at least it's over.

Good on you Valve. It only took a class action suit, multiple scandals, mass media coverage, and the involvement of the freaking FTC for you to get off your lazy arse and actually curate your service for once but hey, baby steps I suppose.

Now, about all that wretched liquid crap that is being spewed up on Steam Greenlight.

Oh come on, i almost have enough for a knife.