An investigation carried out by the British news outlet, Sky News, has found that unlicensed online casinos are drawing in young children using the popular gaming platform Roblox.
The casinos enable children of any age to sign up using their Roblox credentials and gamble with Robux, the platform’s virtual currency.
In response, the U.K. Gambling Commission (UKGC) has blocked and launched an investigation into the largest Robux casinos – Bloxmoon, RBLXWild, and BloxFlip.
"Criminals will always try and find new ways to exploit people, including children," commented Andrew Rhodes, CEO of the UKGC.
Sky News found that users have lost approximately $11.4 million on Bloxmoon since it launched in 2022, including $2.2 million from RBLXWild, which Bloxmoon purchased in July 2024.
RBLXWild alone generates more than $10,000 in revenues per day on average. BloxFlip is said to be even more popular, drawing in around 2.7 million monthly visitors.
Early exposure to gambling risks
Sky News spoke with a teenager from the U.S. who has been using the sites since he was 14.
The child, who has spent around 15 million Robux gambling, said a social media advertisement drew him into BloxFlip.
This comes as the World Health Organization recently called for increased global action to prevent gambling harm, including putting an end to gambling advertisements.
"At first I deposited around 100 Robux ($0.12), just something small to try it out. I lost it all. Then I deposited more to try to make up for it, which I lost again. Then I deposited more. My mother tried to get me to stop, but I didn't. I just liked the adrenaline of doing bigger and bigger bets."
He said he did not realize it was a criminal offense, adding: "I just thought it was something you could do to make extra money. I didn't even know what gambling was."
Following the Sky News publication, BloxFlip announced it would be permanently shutting down, with one of its users commenting, "No more luring minors in and giving them addictions early.”
"If children are exposed to gambling at an earlier age, they're more likely to experience difficulties with gambling later in life," adds Dr Jane Rigbye, chief executive of underage gambling charity YGAM.
Roblox faces legal action
A spokesperson for Roblox has also commented on the situation, saying that the casinos are not authorized by them. The company initiated legal proceedings against the sites in October 2024 for violating its terms of use.
"We have a dedicated group focused on identifying potentially fraudulent activity on Roblox and we work collaboratively with law enforcement authorities where possible to pursue the owners of such websites. Our efforts have met with some success, but we would welcome further law enforcement action and vigilance from web hosting providers to shut down sites like this."
Last year, the parents of five children in the U.S. filed a negligence lawsuit against Roblox. James Bilsborrow, the lawyer leading the case, said, "Roblox has created a digital playground for children - that's the purpose of their platform. They have a duty to these kids, a duty to keep them safe."
