Australia Warns Influencers to Stop Promoting Illegal Gambling

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued a notice to Australian influencers, warning them against promoting illegal gambling services. The authority added that violators risk facing significant penalties.

Illegal Platforms Find Workarounds to Promote Their Products

Illegal gambling remains a challenging issue as the digital age provides bad actors with plenty of ways to offer and promote their services even in regions where they are prohibited. Digital content creators, such as influencers, have cemented themselves as the promoters of choice of many unlicensed gaming companies due to their popularity and reach.

As a result, many offshore operators have sought out partnership agreements with influencers, streamers and content creators, looking to popularize their products even in markets where they are not necessarily allowed.

The ACMA, which has become increasingly aware of this issue, is now seeking to end it.

Influencers Should Not Promote Illegal Services

In its latest release, the ACMA said that it has identified multiple influencers promoting illegal online casinos across social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. In response, the Australian regulator emphasized that such promotions are illegal and Australia and that violators risk incurring significant fines.

Since the ACMA acknowledged that not all influencers might be familiar with the intricacies of Australian gaming regulation, it highlighted a number of things to keep in mind.

For example, influencers should keep in mind that all online slots (pokie-style games) and casino-style games like blackjack are illegal in Australia. The ACMA added that it is also not permitted to provide unlicensed lotteries or wagering services, or to accept online in-play bets on sports.

The ACMA concluded:

If you are an influencer and you profit from promoting illegal games and wagering services to Australians – you are breaking the law.

ACMA statement

The ACMA further listed things that are considered a violation of the law. These include live streaming that shows the influencer gambling on an illegal service or demonstrating how their followers can do it. It is likewise illegal for influencers to include links in their content that direct people to illegal gambling services.

Promoting Illegal Gambling Can Result in Fines

The ACMA noted that influencers who promote illegal gambling risk fines of up to AUD 59,400. However, influencers who go as far as to facilitate illegal gambling by linking to unlicensed platforms or teaching followers where to find them risk fines of up to AUD 2,475,000.

The ACMA concluded that illegal gambling is associated with significant risks since such services do not provide the consumer protections the legal industry does. It added that these platforms can be especially appealing to younger players who are active online.

As a result, the authority vowed to monitor the situation and make sure that influencers aren’t promoting illegal platforms.