Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — A growing number of underage children have been found accessing online gambling through Roblox game accounts, leading to gambling addiction. A 14-year-old American teenager reportedly losses to over 150,000 pounds or approximately $190,000 (Rp3 billion) from Robux Gambling.
At just 14, Robert is well below the legal gambling age of 21. Robert admitted to enjoying the adrenaline rush of placing bets, even defying his mother’s attempts to stop him. However, this didn’t stop him from accumulating losses amounting to 150,000 pounds or approximately $190,000 (Rp3 billion).
“My mom tried to make me stop, but I didn’t. I love the adrenaline of making bigger and bigger bets,” he said, as reported by Sky News on Friday, December 27.
With an estimated 80 million daily active users, Roblox is considered as one of the most popular video games in the world. Described by its CEO as a “digital playground,” Roblox is particularly popular among children, with approximately 42% of its users believed to be aged 12 or under.
While unlicensed casinos are not officially listed on Roblox, they exploit the platform by allowing users of any age to sign up using their Roblox credentials and wager their in-game currency, Robux.
Gambling Sites Linked to Roblox
At least three major gambling sites operate within the Roblox ecosystem—BloxFlip, Bloxmoon, and RBLXWild—attracting a combined 2.8 million monthly visitors and generating millions in bets.
Bloxmoon alone has caused user losses totaling £8.9 million (around $11.2 million), including losses from RBLXWild, which was acquired in July 2024.
These platforms also earn substantial commissions from user bets. Reports indicate they collected approximately $2.2 million from a total of $22.3 million in wagers between April and October 2024.
Roblox Tightens Safety Measures, Restrict Access for Children Under 13 Year Old
The UK Gambling Commission has since blocked domestic access to these platforms. Sky News reported that all three casinos have ceased operations permanently.
Roblox has reiterated that it does not support gambling activities on its platform. The company claims to have taken significant measures to combat the issue, including assigning specialized teams and collaborating with law enforcement authorities.
“Our efforts have yielded results, but we welcome further enforcement actions and vigilance from hosting providers to shut down these sites,” a Roblox spokesperson said.
The growing issue of underage gambling on digital platforms highlights the urgent need for stronger oversight, improved parental controls, and continued collaboration between tech companies and regulators to ensure a safer online environment for children.
(Raidi/Agung)
