Popular streamer, Nicholas ‘Jynxzi’ Stewart, received a three-day Market ban on Steam after an attempt to circumvent Steam’s deposit restrictions seemingly triggered protections surrounding Steam Gift Cards.
Counter-Strike case gambling has been a prominent part of the streamer’s recent content, depositing thousands of cumulative dollars in the hopes of getting rare skins in the game.
Why Jynxzi was banned from Steam’s Market
Steam allows users to deposit up to $2,000 a day as part of the Steam Subscriber Agreement, quoted below:
“You may place funds in your Steam Wallet up to a maximum amount determined by Valve, by credit card, prepaid card, promotional code, or any other payment method accepted by Steam.
“Within any twenty-four (24) hour period, the total amount stored in your Steam Wallet plus the total amount spent out of your Steam Wallet, in the aggregate, may not exceed US$2,000 or its equivalent in your applicable local currency.”
After depositing money late in the previous stream, Jynxzi was unable to directly add more to his Steam Wallet until the 24-hour window had passed.
Instead of waiting, the streamer arranged with his long-time streaming partner, hivise, to receive Steam Gift Cards, which are added to the Steam Wallet, allowing the streamer to buy more cases.
Following the acceptance of two $100 Steam Gift Cards, Jynxzi’s account was banned from the marketplace, with a message stating: “The Market is unavailable for the following reason(s): You have recently accepted a digital gift card from a friend. If nothing further occurs to restrict your access, you’ll be able to use the Community Market on 3/26/2026, 8:35:56 PM”
The Steam Gift Card redemptions triggered a three-day Market ban on the steamer’s account. The rules surrounding this type of ban are not explicit, but are thought to be a fraud prevention measure that flags certain Gift Card redemptions.
The streamer expressed regret at redeeming the cards, stating, “We could have waited five minutes; Instead, we’re banned for three days!”
The streamer later made a last-ditch attempt to get the ban lifted with a dramatized apology on stream, in which he called himself “addicted,” stating that he was “so close to a Gamma Doppler or M9 Bayonet,” two of the most expensive types of knives in the game.
The addictive nature of case gambling is a prominent aspect of the multiple lawsuits taken against Valve in both Washington and New York.
Should Steam have more or fewer protections surrounding its deposits? You can discuss that on Insider Gaming’s Discord.
For more Counter-Strike skins news, see the new Dead Hand Collection skins here.
Darragh is an Esports Journalist for Insider Gaming specialising in Counter-Strike. He loves to explore how esports teams work, or why they very often do not.
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