Valve introduces X-Ray Scanner to combat anti gambling laws
Valve is rolling out a new container system for CS2 players in Germany (and also the Netherlands) starting March 17th. Instead of opening cases directly, German players will find an X-Ray Scanner tab in their inventory. All containers must now be opened through this scanner. This is the same system that Valve introduced in the year 2019 in France, but now in 2026 in Germany. BUT this change has now also affected the Netherlands, and Dutch players can once again open cases, and all of this thanks to the X-Ray scanner.
Germany now needs the X-Ray Scanner to open Cases in Counter-Strike 2. Here you will learn all about why the X-Ray Scanner, what the X-Ray Scanner is, and how to open Cases in Germany in the year 2026.
This change is not as dramatic as it sounds, as you can still open cases in Counter-Strike 2.
The X-Ray Scanner introduced to Germany
Beginning March 16th, players in Germany will have an "X-Ray Scanner" tab in their Inventory. This means the day of opening Counter-Strike 2 Cases or Capsules will be a thing of the past, and Germany will now be more closely aligned with Valves "Lootbox Opening" tactic in France, the X-ray scanner.
For those players, containers can only be opened via the X-ray Scanner. The X-Ray Scanner will come preloaded with a one-time exclusive non-tradable "Genuine P250 | X-ray", which must be claimed before using the X-Ray Scanner to reveal items in other containers.
For those players, containers can only be opened via the X-ray Scanner. The X-Ray Scanner will come preloaded with a one-time exclusive non-tradable "Genuine P250 | X-ray", which must be claimed before using the X-Ray Scanner to reveal items in other containers.
What is the X-Ray Scanner and Collection?
The X-Ray collection was first added on September 30, 2019, and the skin was only available to those who used the X-Ray scanner interface in France.
Shortly after, on October 2nd 2019, the X-Ray P250 Package was added for the rest of the world. These were tradable and marketable variants of the P250 | X-ray, and not a "Genuine" Edition needed for opening cases.
The reason for the introduction was France's strict laws on opening loot boxes. Local laws strictly regulate this form of Gambling. Lootboxes are considered gambling and thus not allowed. For this reason, Valve came up with an interesting plan to bypass these rules - similar to how games like Fortnite have been doing it. It seems now that this form of "opening Cases in CS2" will also be happening in Germany.
French players, and since March 16th 2026, German players, must scan a case before opening it. Once they see the future content, they can decide whether to buy the skin or not. They effectively get "one case opening for free", but if they do not buy the key to redeem the "X-Rayed case", they can not open any more cases.
Shortly after, on October 2nd 2019, the X-Ray P250 Package was added for the rest of the world. These were tradable and marketable variants of the P250 | X-ray, and not a "Genuine" Edition needed for opening cases.
The reason for the introduction was France's strict laws on opening loot boxes. Local laws strictly regulate this form of Gambling. Lootboxes are considered gambling and thus not allowed. For this reason, Valve came up with an interesting plan to bypass these rules - similar to how games like Fortnite have been doing it. It seems now that this form of "opening Cases in CS2" will also be happening in Germany.
French players, and since March 16th 2026, German players, must scan a case before opening it. Once they see the future content, they can decide whether to buy the skin or not. They effectively get "one case opening for free", but if they do not buy the key to redeem the "X-Rayed case", they can not open any more cases.
How do I open cases with the X-Ray Scanner?
Scanning a container reveals the item inside before you claim it. However, the moment you scan a container it gets consumed and disappears from your inventory entirely. It cannot be traded or sold on the Community Market, regardless of whether you claim the item afterwards
You can only have one active scan at a time. To scan another container, you first have to purchase and claim the item from your current scan. There are no resets, no rescans, and no way to change the item once it has been revealed. This applies to all container types, including Souvenir Packages.
You can only have one active scan at a time. To scan another container, you first have to purchase and claim the item from your current scan. There are no resets, no rescans, and no way to change the item once it has been revealed. This applies to all container types, including Souvenir Packages.
How scanning works for Germany
Scanning a container reveals the item inside before you claim it. However, the moment you scan a container it gets consumed and disappears from your inventory entirely. It cannot be traded or sold on the Community Market, regardless of whether you claim the item afterwards.
You can only have one active scan at a time. To scan another container you first have to purchase and claim the item from your current scan. There are no resets, no rescans, and no way to change the item once it has been revealed. This applies to all container types, including Souvenir Packages.
You can only have one active scan at a time. To scan another container you first have to purchase and claim the item from your current scan. There are no resets, no rescans, and no way to change the item once it has been revealed. This applies to all container types, including Souvenir Packages.
Why Germany?
Germany has strict regulations around gambling mechanics in games. The X-Ray Scanner gives players visibility into what they are getting before spending money, which is something regulators across Europe have been pushing for. Valve has not confirmed whether this will roll out to other regions. But as this has been pushed to a few European countries, it might just be a question of time.
Update March 17th: Netherlands X-Ray Scanner
The latest Counter-Strike 2 update brought huge changes. Now all players from Germany AND the Netherlands can open cases with the X-Ray Scanner. Players from the Netherlands could not open cases since around 2018, and now, 8 years later, players from the Netherlands can open cases thanks to the X-Ray scanner in CS2.
Another big change is that you can not buy Sticker Capsules or Souvenir Packages on the Steam Community market in either of these two countries anymore. These are now locked, and you would have to buy them on third-party sites or get people to trade them to you, making sticker capsule investments more tedious.
Another big change is that you can not buy Sticker Capsules or Souvenir Packages on the Steam Community market in either of these two countries anymore. These are now locked, and you would have to buy them on third-party sites or get people to trade them to you, making sticker capsule investments more tedious.
Conclusion
We hope this article helps you understand and navigate this change. German CS2 fans and enthusiasts now have a hurdle to jump through to open Cases in Counter-Strike 2. If you want to read more about the "X-Ray Scanner in CS2", we suggest reading Valves own FAQ on this topic here!
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