The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued formal warnings to two former Australian Football League (AFL) players for promoting an offshore online casino that is illegal under Australian law. The players, Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson, were found to have advertised Vegastars, an online gambling platform classified by the ACMA as a prohibited interactive gambling service.
The ACMA's warnings were announced on Thursday after an investigation revealed that both players had endorsed Vegastars through promotional videos that included branding, website details, gameplay footage, and their endorsements. These videos were published between March and April 2026.
In a final report dated September 30, 2026, the ACMA cited Mitch Robinson for posting prohibited gambling advertisements on two occasions: a podcast episode on YouTube on March 10, 2026, and an Instagram video on April 6, 2026. Robinson, who co-hosts the Rip Through It podcast, entered into two commercial agreements with the Vegastars operators in March 2026, reportedly receiving payouts totaling around AU$120,000 ($84,132). Following a notice issued by the ACMA in May, he removed the promotional content.
Rhys Mathieson was addressed in an ACMA report dated October 1, 2026, which found that he shared three infringing videos on Instagram—one on March 20 and two on April 6, 2026. The authority discovered that Mathieson earned approximately AU$19,200 from his promotions. Although he expressed remorse and stated that he was unaware of Vegastars' illegal status, the ACMA emphasized that ignorance does not excuse violations of the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).
The warnings were issued under Section 64A of the IGA, which states that individuals promoting prohibited services can face civil penalties of up to AU$65,520 for each violation. Entities that facilitate access to these services may face even steeper fines, with some penalties reaching up to AU$2.73 million.
Vegastars’ operator, Neptune Projects SRL, has been under scrutiny since January 2026, when the ACMA issued a formal warning for the site and urged Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block its main and alternate websites. Despite these actions, reports indicate that Vegastars continues to be accessible to Australian users through various mirror sites, prompting further requests from the ACMA for ISP blocks.
In response to illegal gambling promotions online, the ACMA has increased its oversight of social media influencers. Carolyn Lidgerwood, a board member of the ACMA, noted that influencers must recognize that advertising these services is unlawful, stating, "Those using a public profile to endorse prohibited gambling activities will face regulatory action which can include significant financial penalties."
Starting January 1, 2027, new restrictions will prevent licensed wagering providers from utilizing current or former athletes, social media influencers, and other prominent personalities in their promotions. This change aims to curb the impact of influential figures in gambling-related advertising.
The move comes after concerns expressed during a Senate inquiry into the bill, where Senator Sarah Hanson-Young engaged in a tense exchange with the ACMA regarding the implications for notable figures. Sportsbet raised alarms that "anyone with an Instagram account" could potentially be affected by the draft legislation.
