The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has formally warned two former Australian Football League (AFL) players for promoting an offshore online casino that is illegal under Australian law.
Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson were identified for their promotion of Vegastars, an online gambling platform previously classified as a prohibited service by ACMA.
The warnings were issued on Thursday following investigations into their promotional activities, which included videos showcasing Vegastars branding and gameplay. These promotions were published between March and April 2026.
Mitch Robinson, a co-host of the Rip Through It podcast and a former AFL player, was cited in an ACMA report dated September 30, 2026. The regulator established that Robinson posted gambling advertisements twice: during a YouTube podcast episode on March 10, 2026, and in an Instagram video on April 6, 2026. He had entered into two commercial agreements with Vegastars in March 2026, receiving around AU$120,000 (approximately $84,132) for his involvement. After the ACMA alerted him in May, Robinson removed the promotional material.
Rhys Mathieson, another former AFL player, was mentioned in an ACMA report issued on October 1, 2026. The authority concluded that Mathieson shared three Instagram videos promoting Vegastars, with one posted on March 20 and two on April 6, 2026. He reportedly earned about AU$19,200 from these promotions.
Although Mathieson claimed he was unaware of Vegastars' prohibited status and expressed remorse, the ACMA clarified that ignorance does not exempt individuals from violations of the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).
The formal warnings stem from Section 64A of the IGA, emphasizing that individuals promoting illegal gambling services could face civil penalties up to AU$65,520 for each violation. Entities facilitating these services might incur even higher penalties of up to AU$2.73 million.
Vegastars' operator, Neptune Projects SRL, has faced regulatory scrutiny since January 2026, when the ACMA issued a warning and requested Australian Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to block access to Vegastars' websites. However, the service continues to provide access to Australian users through various mirror sites, prompting further action from the ACMA to enforce ISP blocks.
The regulator has intensified its monitoring of illegal gambling promotions, particularly through social media influencers and public figures. Carolyn Lidgerwood, an ACMA board member, remarked on the necessity for influencers to recognize that promoting unlawful gambling services is illegal. She noted that those who leverage their public profiles for such promotions could face regulatory actions involving substantial financial penalties.
Beginning January 1, 2027, new advertising restrictions on wagering will prevent licensed operators from employing current or former athletes and notable personalities to market their products. This legislative change aims to mitigate the influence of prominent figures in advertising betting services.
Concerns regarding this provision arose during a Senate inquiry, where Senator Sarah Hanson-Young challenged the ACMA. Sportsbet further cautioned that the draft regulations could ensnare many individuals, stating that ''anyone with an Instagram account'' could potentially be implicated.
