A report in the United Kingdom bared that illegal casinos are using the child gaming platform to lure children into gambling.
Robert (not his real name), a 16-year-old boy from the United Kingdom, became entangled in the world of online gambling within popular children's game platform Roblox. He recalled that his mother tried to intervene.
"The thrill of placing larger and larger bets was intoxicating," he said, adding that he did not know it was illegal.
Robert's story is one of those uncovered by a Sky News article, which reported that illegal casinos are using the child gaming platform to lure children into the vice.
Sky News reported on the experience of one American teenager who disclosed gambling away approximately 15 million Robux (equivalent to £150,000). This individual began frequenting these illicit sites at the tender age of 14, seven years below the legal gambling age in their state.
Sky News found a network of illegal casinos allowing children to gamble using their accounts." These unauthorized gambling sites, accessible through external links, enable players of any age to utilize their Roblox credentials to participate in various casino games, including slots and blackjack.
Players wager in-game currency, known as Robux, which can subsequently be converted into cryptocurrency and ultimately exchanged for real-world cash. This presents a serious concern, as Roblox boasts an immense user base, with an estimated 80 million daily active players.
The platform's appeal to children is undeniable, with 42% of its users believed to be aged 12 or younger. This demographic is particularly vulnerable to the allure of these "shadow casinos.
Sky News' investigation delved into three prominent Robux casinos–BloxFlip, Bloxmoon, and RBLXWild. These platforms collectively attract an estimated 2.8 million visitors monthly, facilitating gambling transactions worth millions of pounds.
In response to these findings, the Gambling Commission has initiated an urgent inquiry into these Robux casinos and implemented a block on their access from within the UK.
"Criminals are constantly evolving their tactics to exploit vulnerable individuals, including children," warns Andrew Rhodes, the regulator's chief executive, in a statement to Sky News.
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