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A recent report has raised concerns about the connection between online casinos and the popular video game Roblox, suggesting that underage players could be exposed to gambling.
The report highlights that some online casinos are allowing players to use Robux, the in-game currency of Roblox, without verifying the age of the users.
Roblox: A Gateway to Underground Gambling?
The report, published by Cody Luongo on the Sharpr substack, alleges that Roblox has become a gateway to underground gambling. It suggests that a number of black market casino sites are aggressively targeting the game’s young audience and facilitating illegal gambling services.
These sites reportedly allow users to log in with their Roblox accounts, deposit Robux, and then wager them on luck-based casino games. Some of these sites are even said to be recruiting content creators as young as 14 to attract more teenage gamblers.
The Role of Robux
Robux is a form of in-game currency in Roblox that can be used to purchase more games within Roblox, buy exclusive and private in-game servers, or acquire bonuses and game add-ons. Players can either buy Robux with real money or earn it through gameplay.
The report emphasizes that these casinos are not authorized or affiliated with Roblox. However, they do not attempt to verify the age of players who gamble.
Given that 62% of Roblox gamers are 16 years old or younger, this raises serious concerns about exposing children to gambling.
The Case of BloxFlip
One such site, BloxFlip, has allegedly contacted underage influencers offering to sponsor their content in exchange for affiliate codes. A 14-year-old YouTuber with 300,000 subscribers, DarkkHayden, claimed via Twitter that he was offered such a deal.
BloxFlip, reportedly based in Cyprus, only requires a Roblox username to log in.
The site does not conduct any due diligence when asking about the age of the people they promote, according to an anonymous source cited in the report.
In other words, they stick around with casinos that have no verification processes or even no accounts, to say the least.
Roblox’s Response
In response to the report, Roblox stated that it was going to take action against these gambling sites. The company claimed to have “teams and processes in place” to protect its brand.
However, the report suggests that these measures might need some tweaking, given the ease with which these sites can be accessed.
The Need for Greater Accountability
The connection between online casinos and Roblox raises serious concerns about the potential exposure of underage players to gambling.
As the gaming industry continues to evolve, it is crucial to ensure that adequate measures like their recent age-limit policy are in place to protect young players from such risks.
