Another roadblock for my giveaways. 🥹

Sorry to hear about this unfortunate setback, Dobkey. It seems that the volume and nature of your gifting has caused Steam's "fraud detection" algorithm to think that you're engaging in commercial activity. I've seen a couple of theories as to why Steam might restrict gifting, but nobody really knows for sure. The algorithm is probably an inscrutable, AI-driven monstrosity at this point.

Some factors that may have put you on Steam's naughty list:

1. The ratio of funds used to buy games for your own account versus those used for gifts. Some people claim that there's a magical ratio that needs to be maintained to remain in Steam's good graces. For example, if you've sent $200 in gifts, you need to have bought $400 for yourself, assuming the ratio is 2.
2. Sending gifts to too many different users who you haven't been friends with for long. From Steam's perspective, this sort of pattern is consistent with how a commercial seller behaves: Friend random user, send gift, unfriend. Repeat. Some claim that you need to be friends with the recipient for at least 30 days before sending a gift for it not to raise suspicion.

So what's Steam's concern? I think they're worried that someone will sell games on a third-party site then gifting them on Steam using fraudulent methods to make profit or launder money. I've heard of restrictions being placed on using Steam wallet funds, but never an outright gifting ban. I can understand the concern about wallet funds since those can be obtained through illicit methods (e.g. stolen inventory items), but I don't get how buying games with real money using Paypal/CC could be abusive, unless they think you're using a stolen CC. From my point of view, I think it's complete BS that Steam treats generous people like criminals.

You can easily show that your gifting is not profit-driven (by pointing to your SG history) and that your payment method is legit. Unfortunately, Steam support is almost completely useless and will usually dismiss your ticket with a standard form reply. Getting through to someone who'll actually take your case seriously is the hardest part. I don't have any good tips in this regard. The only suggestion I made to someone else who was having similar problems was: "If all else fails, write an email to Gabe Newell". I know it sounds completely absurd, but he's been known to read and respond to emails from random Steam users. At least, this was the case a few years back.

If you don't want to deal with mess, then I agree with others: using keys is by far the easier and safer option.

Good luck!

That sucks !! Unfortunately you'll have to rely on luck to get unblocked.
Did you use steam wallet funds or external payment method like a credit card ?
I had heard that steam wanted to prevent players from taking funds out of their steam wallet by gifting from steam for real money ;
but never yet heard of a blockage for those using an external payment method so i'm curious.

What the heck!
I can't believe you're being accused of fraud when you mean well and are distributing the giveaway in the right way.
I don't think I can be of any help to you, but if there's anything I can do to help, please let me know.
I hope this gets resolved quickly.
You might also want to add a disclaimer like the others did, saying "If you win, please do not post anything on my Steam profile."

I hope you always cheer up.

Is mentioning SteamGifts to Steam support more likely to help you resolve this or the other way around?

Steam support said that gifting via wallet funds is restricted and if you use direct payment you can still gift games. Hope this helps!

That's annoying as hell. I do hope you resolve things, keep trying and I hope it works for you <3

I can feel this frustration about this situation. Unfortunately, shit is happens. :/

It seems ironic that this would reduce Steam sales and encourage purchases on other platforms.