Valve hit with $1.96 million fine in Brazil

According to Dust2 Brasil, Valve has been ordered to pay a hefty fine in an anti-gambling lawsuit filed by the National Association of Centers for the Defense of Children and Adolescents (ANCED).

The lawsuit targets 13 companies, including Valve, Riot, Ubisoft, EA, and Activision Blizzard, for allowing minors access to randomized rewards systems referred to as loot boxes. Besides compensation being provided to the Child and Adolescent Rights Fund of the Federal District, these companies will also have to implement in-game warnings, clear disclosure of reward probabilities, age verification, and a path to reimbursement.

Dust2 Brasil reports, "All companies convicted in the case may appeal the decision, and therefore, the fines will only be paid when there are no more possible appeals." These companies were apparently given six months to adhere to Brazil's Felca Law passed in September, which prohibits the sale of loot boxes to anyone under the age of 18.