Roblox under scrutiny in the Philippines over child exploitation concerns

(AsiaGameHub) –   Philippine officials have been instructed to step up probes into crimes being carried out via online gaming applications, with Roblox among those under scrutiny.

The Philippine National Police‘s (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group has been ordered by PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr. to investigate, as he noted that platforms such as Roblox are being exploited to prey on young children.

He stated: “Our duty to serve and protect citizens now extends to cyberspace to ensure their safety, particularly for children.

“The PNP is collaborating with other agencies to examine how Roblox might be utilized for potential offenses, such as sexual predation, grooming, and the exploitation of minors.”

The PNP intends to partner with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Centre (CICC) to support its inquiries.

Roblox reports that the platform has more than 111 million daily users, with roughly 40% under the age of 13.

The platform has repeatedly drawn attention, with critics cautioning that its randomized rewards, loot box-style prizes, and in-game currency systems resemble gambling mechanics.

Roblox’s terms and conditions indicate that while gambling-related content is permitted on the platform, actual gambling is prohibited.

However, a report published last year by the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) highlighted concerns about third-party sites where the game’s virtual currency, Robux, can be wagered and won in betting and casino-style games.

A DGA statement noted: “Roblox is especially popular among children and adolescents under 18. Consequently, Robux betting poses a risk as it enables many minors to engage in gambling activities through this currency system.

“On nearly all unauthorized Robux betting sites, users can log in with their Roblox credentials. This raises concerns because the Roblox login is linked to the legitimate gaming platform, potentially making it easier for young people to access gambling.”