Influencers in Australia Face $2.5M Penalty for Promoting Illegal Gambling Sites

Australian authorities are putting influencers on notice. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has warned that promoting unlicensed gambling sites could lead to major penalties, including fines as high as AU$2.5 million.

Good to know

• Influencers can face civil penalties up to AU$2.5 million for linking to illegal gambling sites.
• Online casinos and in-play betting are banned in Australia.
• ACMA is actively monitoring platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook.

The warning comes amid rising concerns over influencers using their social media accounts to promote offshore online casinos. ACMA regulates both digital and land-based gambling in the country and says this type of promotion violates the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.

Some influencers have been promoting illegal services through livestreams, paid posts, and giveaways. ACMA confirmed that even hyperlinking to one of these sites can result in the highest level of penalty.

Under Australian law, only online sports betting and certain lotteries are allowed. In-play betting during live sports and all forms of online casino gambling remain banned. Any influencer helping Australians access these banned services could be breaking the law.

“If you’re an influencer and profit from promoting illegal games and wagering services to Australians, you are breaking the law,” ACMA said.

For lesser violations, like livestreaming an illegal gambling service or promoting a banned app, influencers could be fined up to AU$59,400. However, for more direct involvement, like offering links or directions to these platforms, the maximum fine jumps to AU$2.5 million.

ACMA also highlighted the risks users face when dealing with these illegal operators. Without local licensing, there are no guarantees for customer protection, meaning players can lose funds without any recourse. Young Australians, who make up a large part of the social media audience, are especially at risk.

“You may be putting people that follow you at real risk of harm,” ACMA warned. “We are monitoring what influencers are promoting very closely.”

The warning comes as part of a wider effort by ACMA to crack down on illegal operators and their affiliates. Earlier in June, operators like Buddybet, Ultrabet, VicBet, and Topbet were penalized for failing to follow self-exclusion rules. In May, Unibet was fined $1 million after the company failed to close nearly 1,000 accounts of users who had opted out of gambling.

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