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When the Quinault Indian Nation wasn't satisfied with the efforts of the Washington Gambling Commission to curtail what it saw as illegal gambling facilitated by Valve's Steam gaming platform through Counter Strike: Global Offensive "lootboxes" and related websites, it decided to take matters into its own hands - with a lawsuit. What does Quinault allege in its suit? Is Valve facilitating gambling through Steam and Counter Strike? If reasonable minds can (and do) differ on what constitutes gambling here, is it up to Quinault to determine, or does that fall to the Washington Gambling Commission? And if the Washington Gambling Commission has already worked with Valve on this topic and hasn't alleged a further violation by Valve, how could Valve be competing unfairly, acting negligently, or otherwise interfering with the Quinault compact with the state? In short, is this really a policy dispute masquerading as a lawsuit? And, hey, this matter was brought to my attention by Damien Newell on Twitter (by way of The Free to Play cast). If *you* have a topic you want covered on Virtual Legality, be sure to let me know(@hoeglaw on Twitter)! CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/-gDsr9TqxfQ #Quinault #Valve #VirtualLegality *** Discussed in this episode: "Valve hit with illegal gambling lawsuit by Native American nation that operates a casino in Washington state" GeekWire - April 12, 2019 - Nat Levy (https://www.geekwire.com/2019/valve-hit-illegal-gambling-lawsuit-native-american-nation-operates-casino-washington-state/amp/) "Quinault v. Valve" April 3, 2019 - No. 19-2-262-14 (https://www.scribd.com/document/406030967/Quinault-v-Valve#from_embed) "Gambling" Revised Code of Washington (RCW) 9.46.0237 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.46.0237) "Civil action—Unfair or deceptive act or practice—Claim elements." RCW 19.86.093 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=19.86.093) "Legislative declaration." RCW 9.46.010 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.46.010) "Gambling commission—Powers and duties." RCW 9.46.070 (https://app.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=9.46.070) "Washington Pattern Jury Instructions--Civil - Tortious Interference with Economic Relations" December 2017 Update (https://govt.westlaw.com/wciji/Document/I2cd3bf78e10d11dab058a118868d70a9) *** FOR MORE CHECK US OUT: On Twitter @hoeglaw At our website: https://hoeglaw.com/ On our Blog, "Rules of the Game", at https://hoeglaw.wordpress.com/ On "Help Us Out Hoeg!" a regular segment on the Easy Allies Podcast (formerly GameTrailers) (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZrxXp1reP8E353rZsB3jaA) Biweekly on "Inside the Huddle with Michael Spath" on WTKA 1050