Roblox Faces Collective Claim Alleging Illegal Assistance to Children’s Gambling
Roblox, the popular online game platform, has become a defendant in a new collective claim filed in the Northern District of California. The claim, brought forward by two mothers named Rachel Colvin and Daniel Sass, accuses Roblox of providing illegal assistance to children’s gambling.
The plaintiffs argue that although Roblox officially prohibits gambling, the platform actually allows children to participate in such activities on third-party sites. Various sites, including RBXFLIP, BLOXFLIP, and RBLXWILD, enable users to engage in games like blackjack and roulette using Robux, the virtual currency of Roblox.
Colvin and Sass assert that their children unknowingly spent thousands of Robux on these third-party sites. On the official Roblox website, 800 Robux are sold for $9.99.
The lawsuit highlights that Roblox is aware of the existence of these gambling sites and has full control over the Robux flow, yet takes no action to block them. The company is accused of profiting from this scheme by receiving a 30% commission from transactions.
In response, Roblox vehemently denies these accusations, asserting that the gambling sites are in no way affiliated with the platform and operate in violation of its standards. The company emphasizes its dedication to providing a safe and legal online experience for its users.
This lawsuit further fuels the ongoing debate surrounding children’s involvement in gambling within games. It also sheds light on the broader issue of virtual trading in games, such as the sale of loot boxes where users pay real money for random virtual goods. While this practice is legal in the United States, it is banned in several countries, including the Netherlands, and may face pan-European restrictions in the near future.