Under the leadership of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul, ambitious legislative proposals seek to regulate or ban certain gambling-like practices at the heart of platforms such as Roblox.
Legislation born out of real concerns
The Roblox platform, which attracts millions of underage users around the world, is now under fire from the New York governor. According to the bill presented in early January 2026, practices deemed problematic include loot boxes. These purchases, often made with virtual currencies, are seen by some as a form of disguised gambling, especially when made by minors without parental supervision.
This proposal is part of a series of initiatives already undertaken by the administration to strengthen online safety for young people. In particular, it refers to strict age verification requirements and enhanced controls on financial transactions for users under the age of 18. The aim is to give parents back control over their children’s spending on online games by placing the responsibility on the platforms themselves.
In several jurisdictions around the world, similar regulations have already been adopted or are under consideration, often for the same reasons: to protect minors from mechanisms considered similar to gambling. For example, several European countries require strict protective measures or transparent information on the probabilities of obtaining rewards in loot boxes. Many games, such as Pokémon Trading Card Game Pocket, are unavailable in Belgium because of their mechanisms, which are similar to games of chance.
Beyond loot boxes: measures to protect children
The concerns expressed by the State of New York are not limited to random reward systems. The state’s Attorney General, Letitia James, also pointed to risks related to the safety of minors when they interact on digital platforms. According to her, environments such as those offered by Roblox can become unsafe for children, particularly due to the possibility of unsupervised contact with unknown users.
The proposed measures include prohibiting direct contact between minors and users outside their network, as well as disabling location-sharing features for all users under the age of 18. These provisions aim to limit exposure to potentially dangerous behaviour, particularly interaction with strangers or online predators.
This proposal also builds on previous laws enacted by the state, such as those limiting the collection and use of minors’ personal data or requiring warning labels similar to those suggested by public health services to alert users to potential mental health risks.
For now, the bill must still be presented to the New York State Assembly before being debated and potentially passed. So far, industry giants, including Roblox Corporation, have not publicly commented in detail on these specific measures.