US Judge Allows Lawsuit Over Roblox Gambling to Continue

A federal judge in California has allowed a lawsuit against Boris Said Jr., the creator of the now-defunct RBLXWild betting website, to continue. The lawsuit alleges that RBLXWild enticed children to gamble with Robux, Roblox’s virtual currency. Judge Vince Chhabria determined that the plaintiffs provided sufficient evidence to suggest Said profited from users’ losses and could not separate his personal responsibility from the company’s actions.

RBLXWild allowed users to bet Robux on games of chance like blackjack and coin flips, converting winnings into real cash through Roblox’s developer exchange program. The judge emphasized that Robux are considered items of value under California law, akin to arcade tokens, and can be subject to gambling regulations. While acknowledging the complexity of state gambling laws, Judge Chhabria concluded that Robux clearly fall under the definition of a “thing of value.”

This ruling follows a previous decision by the same judge finding Roblox potentially negligent for allowing access to external gambling sites. The case will now proceed with claims of unlawful business practices, negligence, and unjust enrichment, potentially also invoking federal illegal gambling laws. This lawsuit is part of a broader legal debate surrounding online environments targeted at children and the blurring lines between gaming and gambling.

(Source：Gamblingnews)