THE UK Gambling Commission has finally taken action against several online casinos that accept Robux as a currency.
RBLXWild, Bloxmoon, and BloxFlip have all been blocked in the UK, but it seems that the sites are shutting down in all regions.
Visiting the sites from other regions serves you the message the site has “permanently ceased operations” or has been “permanently shut down”.
The change happened after a Sky News report, which shined a light on the activities of these sites.
While the websites asked users to confirm that they are over 18, there was no age verification process, and the use of Robux as a currency opened them up to Roblox’s young userbase.
The data for Roblox’s userbase is always changing, but Sky News reports that around 42% of users are under the age of 12.
BloxFlip and RBLXWild, alongside RBXGold, came under fire in a report in July last year claiming that the online gambling sites asked children to promote them.
YouTuber DarkkHayden, who was 14 at the time, claimed that BloxFlip offered them money to promote the online casino.
Unlike the other sites, RBXGold is also blocked in the UK but appears to still be live in other regions.
RBXGold’s support page contains phrases like: “We’re proud to say that our Rewards System is absolutely bussin’.” that could draw in Roblox’s young userbase.
The online casinos accept Roblox’s in-game currency Robux as payment, and this can be purchased with real money, and asks users to connect with their Roblox accounts.
BloxFlip issued a statement saying: “Since its inception BFlip, we have always operated in strict compliance with all legal and regulatory guidelines.
“Recently, however, the legal team representing Roblox has begun to apply pressure compelling us to cease operations.
“Shutting down now gives us the opportunity and time to begin refunding our users quickly and safely.”
A Roblox spokesperson said that the company does not endorse these online casinos and it “welcomes further law enforcement action and vigilance from web hosting providers to shut down sites like this.”
However, five parents of children who have used the online casinos have opened a lawsuit against Roblox.
The company was aware of these unaffiliated sites and promised to take action last year, but the action was not made public if it was taken.
However, the statement from BloxFlip seems to confirm that action has been taken recently.
A statement from Roblox issued last year read: “Roblox will continue to be vigilant in combating entities who engage in practices that are in violation of our policies or endanger the safety of our community.”
James Bilsborrow, the leading lawyer of the parents’ case against Roblox, said: “They knew for years it was happening, and they didn’t do anything.”
If you want to read more about the game, check out the report that labelled Roblox a “pedophile hellscape”.
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