The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has warned that social media influencers could face fines of up to AU$ 2.5 million ($1.6 million) for promoting unregulated gambling websites.
An article on the ACMA’s website stated, “Social media influencers are on notice: stop promoting illegal gambling services to Australians. If you don’t, you risk facing significant penalties.”
The statement went on to detail that online slots and casino games such as blackjack are illegal in Australia, along with in-play online sports betting.
Any influencers found promoting illegal forms of gambling through livestreams, links, or promotional giveaways can be hit with penalties. The ACMA state that, “For individual influencers, breaching the law can result in civil penalties of up to (AU) $59,400.”
However, they go on to say that, “Influencers who facilitate access to illegal online gambling services – such as by giving hyperlinks – can incur even greater penalties, for individuals this could be up to $2,475,000,” ($1.6 million).
Australia Clamping Down On Gambling Ads
The warning is the latest move in an attempt by the ACMA to rein in the world’s largest gambling population. It is estimated Australians bet $244.3 billion ($158 billion) in 2023, losing $31.5 billion ($20 billion), making it the highest per capita in the world.
That is, without Australia online casinos being officially legalized. However, many sweepstakes casinos operate in a gray area in the country, and major operators Stake and VGW were both set up by Australians, Ed Craven and Laurence Escalante, respectively.
To curb the problem of gambling in the country, Australia launched BetStop, the country’s nationwide self-exclusion list for self-declared problem gamblers. The ACMA has strict rules about protecting those registered on BetStop and recently issued fines to Unibet and PointsBet over violations of promoting to those on the list, as well as failing to close accounts.
Additionally, Tabcorp has received criticism from Senators for its style of promotions at betting venues across the country. Martin Thomas, the chief executive of the Alliance for Gambling Reform, also criticized Tab, commenting, “Australia’s infamous title as the biggest gambling losers in the world will only get worse without action, as reflected in these latest moves by Tabcorp.”
Thomas called on the government to implement recommendations put forward in a parliamentary review conducted by MP Peta Murphy. He stated, “The federal government has a golden opportunity to implement all 31 recommendations of the Murphy Review, but the report so far has gathered dust for more than two years.”
Celebrity Influencers Also Facing Heat In California
Influencers in the US are also facing legal scrutiny for promoting unregulated platforms such as sweepstakes casinos. TV host Ryan Seacrest, who promotes the Australian-owned Chumba Casino, part of VGW, is facing a lawsuit in California over claims the company is operating illegally.
California lawmakers this week amended a bill that will target both sweepstakes casinos and those who promote the platforms, similar to the ACMA. Famously, Drake also has a deal promoting Stake, which is blocked in Australia, despite having offices in the country and being co-founded by Australian businessman Ed Craven. Craven has indicated that he is interested in applying for a license in the future.
The ACMA has blocked numerous foreign sites, and in theory could also target influencers promoting illegal platforms overseas, such as Seacrest and Drake, if they were deemed to be specifically targeting Australians.
Adam is an experienced writer with years of experience in the gambling industry. He has worked as a content writer and editor for five years on sites such as Oddschecker, CoinTelegraph and Gambling Industry News, bringing excellent knowledge of the world of sports betting and online gambling. Adam focuses on emerging stories in the ever changing landscape of betting in the US. Read the latest on prediction markets, changing legislation, and sweepstakes.
