A federal judge in California denied the motion of a former Robux gambling operator. The motion sought to dismiss a class-action lawsuit. The lawsuit alleged that he encouraged children to gamble.
Robux is in the in-game currency for one of the most well-known online gaming platforms in the world, Roblox. It has hundreds of millions of users globally, many of whom are children.
The platform lets its users to roam a virtual playground of user-created games. Even though users can get Robux through real-money purchases, it’s free to Play.
Boris Said was the brains behind RBLXWild. It is a third-party website that lets users gamble Robux through digital coin flips, blackjack, plinko, and other games. Players can only use Robux to win more in-game currency; they cannot win real money from the site.
However, because RBLXWild participated in Roblox’s DevEx (Developer Exchange) Program, it could exchange its Robux for cash. Users generate games on the Roblox platform, and DevEx allows successful developers to share in the profits. DevEx is the only way to exchange Robux for cash and the program is not available to regular players.
In August 2023, minors, through their guardians, filed a proposed class-action lawsuit naming Roblox, RBLXWild, and other third-party gambling sites.
The lawsuit alleges that, in violation of California criminal gambling laws, the defendants operated illegal gambling activities involving children. In turn, support civil liability under California’s UCL or Unfair Competition Law.
The defendants face accusations of unlawful business practices under the UCL, along with negligence and unjust enrichment.
In response to the lawsuit, Said shut RBLXWild down. He argued in his motion to dismiss that Robux are not things of value because players cannot redeem these virtual items for cash.
