Steam now requires Australian users to have a credit card to purchase R18+ games, and no, a simple bank debit card won’t work
Valve has implemented mandatory age verification for Australian Steam users purchasing R18+ rated games, joining PlayStation and Xbox in complying with Australian legal requirements that carry fines up to AU$50 million for non-compliance. However, Steam’s implementation diverges significantly from its competitors’ approaches. While PlayStation and Xbox offer multiple verification methods, Steam accepts only one: a credit card. Notably, debit cards—which draw from existing funds—are not accepted; Steam specifically requires a traditional credit card that extends credit to the user. This single-method approach creates a potential barrier for users without credit cards, particularly minors attempting to establish their age and adults who rely exclusively on debit accounts. The credit card requirement may stem from verification purposes, though Valve has not detailed its reasoning. The move reflects mounting regulatory pressure across the gaming industry to implement age-appropriate content restrictions in key markets, with age verification systems becoming increasingly common on major digital storefronts.