17 December 2024 , 08:52
524
0
By Ben van der Merwe, digital investigations journalist, and Mickey Carroll, science and tech reporter
Illegal online casinos are using Roblox, one of the most popular video games in the world, to draw children as young as 12 into online gambling, a Sky News investigation has found.
The unlicensed casinos allow children of any age to sign up using their Roblox accounts and bet their in-game currency (Robux) on games like slots and blackjack.
Winnings can be withdrawn as cryptocurrency - and then converted into real cash.
Roblox is one of the most popular video games in the world, with an estimated 80 million daily active users. Described by its CEO as a "digital playground," Roblox is particularly popular with children - 42% of its users are thought to be aged 12 or under.