The company made the decision after years of restrictions that did not stop the scams, although it will maintain digital cards and allow the redemption of existing physical cards until the end of 2026
Valve announced that it will stop producing physical gift cards for Steam. The measure responds to the ongoing problem of scammers using these cards to deceive people and take their money.
According to the company, physical cards will disappear from store shelves by the end of 2026. This decision comes after increasingly implementing restrictions, but criminals adapted and continued to affect Steam users and other unsuspecting individuals.
"As we continue to impose more and more restrictions, scammers adapted," Valve explained on its support page. "They continue to impact Steam customers and other unsuspecting individuals. That’s why we made the difficult decision to end the Steam gift card program in retail stores."
The impact on users
Many gamers will miss this option. Physical cards were a practical and tangible way to gift balance for the platform, ideal for including in a card or wrapping as a gift. Despite everything, Valve clarified that physical cards already in circulation can be redeemed without issues.
The company will continue to offer digital gift cards, which allow easy balance addition to friends' and family accounts. This way, the possibility of gifting games or funds on Steam does not disappear completely.
The problem of scams with gift cards is not new. In fact, it is so common that the Federal Trade Commission in the United States has a frequently asked questions section dedicated to the topic. Scammers often convince their victims to buy these cards and share the codes, leaving people without money and without the games they were expecting.
A difficult but necessary decision
Valve has been fighting against these frauds for a long time. The increasing restrictions were not enough to stop the scourge, leading to this drastic measure. It is a shame to lose physical cards, but the priority is to protect Steam users.
In the world of video games, Steam remains one of the most important platforms. Maintaining the community's trust is key, and this move aims to reduce the risks associated with scams. Gamers who still have physical cards in their possession have nothing to worry about: they will be able to use them normally until current stocks run out.
A difficult but necessary decision
