The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) is putting social media influencers on notice, warning them that promoting illegal gambling services to Australians is against the law, and it could cost them big.
According to the regulator, there’s been a noticeable uptick in influencers pushing unlicensed online casinos and gambling content on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. Whether influencers are doing it intentionally or not, if they are endorsing or making money from these services, they could be breaking the law.
Influencers, take note: Promoting illegal online casinos in Australia is against the law. The ACMA is monitoring this activity closely.
🎰 No giveaways, no streaming, no links.
🚫 Penalties up to $59,400 await those who break the rules.👉 Learn more: https://t.co/7EhLlHV0bG pic.twitter.com/RIPNRacEnT
— ACMA (@acmadotgov) June 24, 2025
“Social media influencers must understand that the promotion of illegal gambling services in Australia is illegal, and substantial penalties apply,” the ACMA said in its announcement.
ACMA says penalties can be hefty for influencers promoting unlicensed gambling
Under Australian law, promoting or providing certain types of gambling services without a licence is illegal, and the penalties can be steep. That includes online slots (pokie-style games), casino-style games like blackjack, in-play sports betting, and any unlicensed lotteries or wagering services.
The ACMA has made it clear that influencers could be breaking the law by doing things like livestreaming or demoing games on illegal platforms, sharing links to these sites, or running giveaways tied to unlicensed gambling services.
If they are caught, the consequences are serious. Individuals can face civil fines of up to AUD 59,400 ($38,700). And if they’ve helped people access illegal gambling sites, such as by posting direct links, penalties can reach as high as AUD 2.475 million ($1.6 million).
But it’s not just about the legal risk. The ACMA also pointed out the danger to consumers, especially younger people who spend a lot of time online and may be more vulnerable. Illegal gambling platforms don’t offer the same protections as licensed ones, which means players could be easily scammed.
The regulator says it is keeping a close eye on influencer activity and is urging content creators with large followings to understand the rules before promoting anything that could put them or their audiences at risk.
“Young Australians who are active online can be more vulnerable,” the regulator stated. “You may be putting people that follow you at real risk of harm.”
The warning comes as the ACMA steps up its enforcement efforts against gambling companies accused of bombarding customers with thousands of unsolicited marketing messages in recent months. Among those under scrutiny are well-known operators like PointsBet and Tabcorp Holdings.
Featured image: Canva
