Authorized Steam Key Resellers vs Grey Market Sellers: How to Tell Them Apart

What is the difference between an official store, an authorized reseller and a marketplace?

• Official store: a storefront that sells the game directly, such as Steam, GOG or the Epic Games Store, all listed as official stores on Devolver Digital's page (Devolver Digital).
• Authorized reseller (official key distributor): a store that resells keys under an arrangement with the publisher. Devolver's list of official Steam key distributors includes Humble and Fanatical, for its own games (Devolver Digital).
• Marketplace (grey market): a platform where third party sellers list keys. G2A says it is a marketplace, not a distributor, and does not hold or sell keys itself (G2A).

Is there an official list of authorized Steam key resellers?

Not one list for every game. The Steam Subscriber Agreement does recognize authorized resellers of Valve: section 3.F says you may order through one, and that questions about the product key go to that reseller (Steam Subscriber Agreement). It does not publish a list. On the developer side, Steamworks describes keys as a tool for developers to sell their game on other stores and at retail (Steamworks). Who counts as authorized for a given game is up to its publisher.

How do I check if a store is authorized for a game?

1. Look for a vendor or "where to buy" page on the publisher's own site.
2. Check whether the store appears for that publisher's games. Devolver's list covers Devolver games only, so it does not prove a store is authorized for anything else (Devolver Digital).
3. Read the store's own sourcing statement, but treat it as the store's claim, not the publisher's. Eneba, for example, says it expects sellers to source products from official distributors and may ask for proof of purchase (Eneba). That is a platform rule, not a publisher listing.

What does grey market mean for a buyer?

It means you are buying from a third party seller whose key source the publisher has not confirmed. G2A says most keys on its marketplace come from wholesalers that buy in bulk from developers and publishers (G2A). Devolver, on the other hand, lists G2A among its unapproved vendors for Devolver games (Devolver Digital). Both statements are each company's own.

The practical risk sits with the key. Steamworks says developers may ban keys that were stolen or purchased fraudulently (Steamworks). Read more in why CD keys are cheaper than Steam.

When can a grey market offer still make sense?

That is your call, and it depends on how much risk you accept. Things that lower it:

• The region on the listing clearly matches your account region (region locked Steam key).
• The seller has a solid rating on that marketplace.
• The refund rules cover invalid or already used keys. Eneba says a refund may be possible in those cases, but generally not after a key is displayed if you change your mind (Eneba).

Does this apply to Xbox keys?

Yes, the same split exists. Check the platform and region on the listing, since Eneba says an Xbox code must match Xbox or Microsoft account rules (Eneba).

How AskLoot labels sellers

AskLoot is an AI deal finder for PC and Xbox game keys. You ask in plain English, for example "Red Dead Redemption 2 Rockstar key", and see offers with a region label wherever the seller gives one. Every seller is clearly labeled with its type (marketplace, authorized reseller or official store), so you can tell them apart before you click through. Keys may not be available for every game. Read how we rank.

Sources (checked 16 Oct 2026)

• Devolver Digital, "Vendors": https://www.devolverdigital.com/vendors
• Steam Subscriber Agreement, section 3.F (last updated September 10, 2026 per the page): https://store.steampowered.com/subscriber_agreement/
• Steamworks, "Steam Keys": https://partner.steamgames.com/doc/features/keys?l=english
• G2A, "How we operate" (G2A's own statement): https://www.g2a.co/security/how-we-operate/
• Eneba, "Is Eneba Legit?" (the store's own words): https://www.eneba.com/is-eneba-legit

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