Roblox: The Lottery That Trains Kids to Spend, Not Win

After reading the BBC’s coverage of Roblox and its CEO’s rather hands-off stance on content moderation, I felt compelled as a parent to give this game the snark it deserves.

The idea that parents should just keep their kids off Roblox if they’re concerned, rather than the company taking stronger responsibility for its own ecosystem, is a copout wrapped in corporate PR. But beyond the safety issues, there’s another insidious aspect of Roblox that doesn’t get nearly enough attention: it’s a relentless microtransaction machine cleverly disguised as a “fun” virtual playground.

Kids don’t just play; they get trained to spend. Every login is a fresh assault of new skins, perks, boosts, and the endless pressure to “keep up” with their friends by buying just one more item. Sound familiar? That’s because Roblox isn’t just a game. It’s the lottery for kids, but instead of a big jackpot, the prize is a pixelated hat.

Roblox: The Digital Scratch Ticket for Kids

Remember when video games were just about playing? In 2025, that quaint concept is as dead as a payphone. Today’s “free-to-play” model is less about fun and more about funneling your child’s allowance into an endless cycle of microtransactions. Roblox has mastered this art, training young minds to expect that every new experience comes with a price tag.

Let’s break it down. Your kid logs in and is immediately bombarded with opportunities to spend Robux. Want a cooler avatar? That’ll cost you. Need better gear to actually compete in the game? Pay up. Tired of being the only one in the lobby without the latest limited-edition emote? Open that wallet, buddy. It’s digital peer pressure wrapped in a dopamine delivery system.

The worst part? Unlike a real lottery, there’s no chance of winning big. Just more pixelated accessories that will be obsolete in six weeks when the next must-have item drops. At least with scratch tickets, there’s a 0.0001% chance of hitting it big. With Roblox, the only sure thing is that your kid will be back tomorrow, asking for more money.

Parental Controls? More Like Parental Suggestions

Roblox’s CEO, Dave Baszucki, says if parents don’t like it, they should just keep their kids off the platform. That’s cute. Like telling a parent in the 90s, “If you don’t like cigarettes, just don’t let your kids watch TV.” The entire digital landscape is built to make Roblox feel essential. Every friend plays it. Every birthday party features it. Every school lunch conversation revolves around it. Keeping kids off Roblox isn’t just “making a choice.” It’s opting them out of their social ecosystem. That’s not realistic parenting advice, that’s passing the buck.

The Real Lesson: Teaching Kids to Resist Digital Casinos

The real solution isn’t just banning Roblox. It’s teaching kids how to spot these predatory tactics for what they are. Educate them on digital spending traps. Set hard limits on in-game purchases. Have the "this game is designed to take your money" talk, just like you’d have the "don't talk to strangers online" talk. And if all else fails, remind them that the ultimate flex isn’t a $20 virtual sword—it’s keeping your money in your pocket.

Until then, we’ll keep watching in horror as an entire generation learns to associate fun with financial transactions. Because in the end, that’s the real game Roblox is playing. And spoiler alert: they always win.