Social media influencers are on notice: stop promoting illegal gambling services to Australians. If you don’t, you risk facing significant penalties.
The ACMA is Australia’s online gambling regulator.
We have seen influencers promoting illegal online casinos on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok and other social media.
Social media influencers must understand that the promotion of illegal gambling services in Australia is illegal, and substantial penalties apply.
What influencers need to know
Online slots (pokie-style games) and casino-style games like blackjack are illegal in Australia.
It’s also illegal in Australia to provide unlicensed lotteries or wagering services, or to accept online in-play bets on sports.
If you are an influencer and you profit from promoting illegal games and wagering services to Australians – you are breaking the law.
Examples of promoting or endorsing illegal online gambling services include:
- live streaming or showing yourself gambling on an illegal service (including demonstrating to your followers how to play a game or place a bet)
- including links in your content that directs people to an illegal gambling service
- promotional giveaways relating to an illegal gambling service.
Penalties for promoting or publicising illegal online gambling services
For individual influencers, breaching the law can result in civil penalties of up to $59,400.
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.
Why this matters
The risks of using illegal gambling services are high. These services don’t provide the consumer protections Australians expect, so players can be scammed out of their money.
Young Australians who are active online can be more vulnerable. You may be putting people that follow you at real risk of harm.
The ACMA is monitoring what influencers are promoting very closely.
Find out more
- See what is and is not allowed – the rules prohibiting advertising of illegal online gambling services are set out in the Interactive Gambling Act 2001.
- Protect yourself from illegal gambling operators.
- How to complain about illegal online gambling services and advertising.
Have questions or need help?
- If you have questions about your influencer activities, email us.
- Check if a wagering provider is licensed by using our online register.
- If you or someone you know might have a gambling problem, seek help through Gambling Help Online. You can also exclude yourself from gambling via BetStop – the National Sel-Exclusion Register™.