Roblox Addresses Dangerous Gambling Scheme Targeting Child Players

A recent report highlights a troubling trend of underage Roblox players being lured into illegal gambling schemes orchestrated by unauthorized online casinos. Despite being tailored for younger audiences, Roblox has faced ongoing challenges with moderation and safety.

According to data from CivicScience, a staggering 65% of children in the U.S. aged 14 and under engage with Roblox, making them prime targets for nefarious activities.

Investigative reporting by Sky News reveals that illegal gambling websites are exploiting this demographic. Young players often acquire Robux—Roblox’s in-game currency—through gift cards and parental supervision, only to find themselves unregulated and at risk once their funds are available for spending.

Millions Lost: The Dark Side of Roblox Gambling

Carroll and van der Merwe’s investigation indicates that the situation is exacerbated by media influencers promoting “quick”and “free”methods to earn Robux. This leads unsuspecting players to unregulated gambling sites where they unwittingly input their Roblox login information.

These dubious platforms not only offer classic casino games like blackjack and roulette but also feature children’s games, such as betting on the landing spot of a virtual rocket. The flashy and vibrant designs of these games mask potentially harmful content, appealing to a young audience.

A notable account shared by a 16-year-old player illustrates the dangers: after being introduced to an illegal gambling site at the age of 14, he lost an astonishing $150,000 before his mother intervened. “I just thought it was something you could do to make extra money. I didn’t even know what gambling was,” the teen admitted.

Following the journalists’ report, one illegal gambling site was shut down after alerting the UK’s Gambling Commission, but it re-emerged under a new domain within just 36 hours. Notably, this site was involved in handling approximately $102 million in bets over two years, with users suffering losses exceeding $11 million—an alarming profit for the crime syndicate raking in around $10,000 daily.

Recent legal proceedings in the U.S., where parents are suing Roblox for aiding illegal gambling activities, revealed that the platform had awareness of such issues dating back to 2022. Despite this knowledge, Roblox only began taking substantial legal action against these malicious third-party operations in October 2024.

A spokesperson for Roblox emphasized that these illegal casinos operate without any endorsement from the platform and that efforts are underway to disrupt their activities, which violate Roblox’s Terms of Service. “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,” the representative commented.

Since the release of the Sky News article, some illegal gambling sites, including RBLXWild and Bloxmoon, have reportedly ceased operations.

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