A 10-year-old boy in Singapore has reportedly lost his entire pocket money after stumbling upon what appeared to be a “Pokémon” livestream on TikTok, which turned out to be an illegal gambling operation cleverly disguised as a game. The shocking incident has left many parents worried about the hidden dangers of online content targeting children.
According to the boy’s father, a 38-year-old salesperson surnamed Lee, he and his wife allowed their son to watch Pokémon videos on TikTok, never suspecting that the platform could expose their child to real-money gambling. Their fears became reality when they received multiple bank notifications of transfers ranging from S$20 to S$30 from their son’s bank account, reported Shin Min Daily News
Alarmed, they checked the boy’s mobile phone and discovered he had been drawn into a livestream masquerading as a Pokémon trading card game, where bets were disguised as “card duels.” The incident raised serious concerns about the ease with which children can access gambling-like content online.
Streamers Using Vulgarities & Promoting Betting During Livestream
Mr Lee later uncovered that the livestream host was allegedly using foul language and actively encouraging viewers, including children, to place bets on card battles. The streamer would open two Pokémon card packs per round, tally their points, and announce the winner, who would then receive payouts after the host deducted a commission of up to 20%.
The boy admitted he discovered the livestream by accident and got hooked, eventually losing several dozen dollars in total. Mr Lee shared his disappointment and frustration, warning that such disguised gambling streams pose a dangerous threat to young, impressionable viewers.
“This unhealthy trend must not be allowed to continue,” he said. “Online gambling disguised as games should never exist, as it seriously affects children.”
Parents Taking Steps to Prevent Further Incidents
Instead of immediately confiscating their son’s phone, Mr Lee and his wife chose to educate him about the dangers of gambling and set strict daily transfer limits on his bank account. This approach aims to teach financial responsibility while ensuring he cannot spend large sums again.
Further research revealed these Pokémon-themed gambling livestreams are widespread on platforms like TikTok, often promoting “PK battles” where viewers buy in with real money to participate. Some streams offer rounds with stakes from tens to hundreds of dollars, with transactions made through services like PayNow.
Image Source: Shin Min Daily News