Authorities in the Philippines are being directed to intensify investigations into criminal activity being facilitated through online gaming apps, including Roblox.
The Philippine National Police‘s (PNP) Anti-Cybercrime Group has received orders from PNP Chief General Jose Melencio Nartatez Jr., who stated that games like Roblox are being used to target young children.
He said: “Our mandate of serving and protecting the people now encompasses cyberspace to keep them safe, especially for children.
“The PNP is coordinating with other agencies to investigate the extent to which Roblox may be used for possible crimes, including sexual predation, grooming, and exploitation of minors.”
The PNP plans to work with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the Cybercrime Investigation and Coordinating Centre (CICC) to aid its investigations.
According to Roblox, the game has over 111 million users each day, with approximately 40% being aged under 13.
The game has repeatedly fallen into the spotlight as some have warned that randomised rewards, loot box-style prizes, and the use of in-game currencies are adjacent to gambling mechanisms.
Roblox T&Cs state that although gambling content is allowed on the platform, actual gambling is not permitted.
However, last year, a report released by the Danish Gambling Authority (DGA) revealed concerns surrounding third-party websites where the game’s in-game currency, Robux, can be used as deposits and winnings in betting and casino games.
A statement from the DGA said: “The computer game Roblox is particularly popular among children and young people under the age of 18. Therefore, Robux betting can be a problem because it also means that many young people under the age of 18 can access gambling via Robux betting.
“On almost all illegal Robux betting websites, the Roblox login can be used for access. This is problematic as the Roblox login is associated with the legal gaming platform and communicates easier access for young people in particular, to participate in gambling.”
