The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued formal warnings to two former Australian Football League (AFL) players for promoting an illegal offshore online casino. Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson were cited for their involvement with Vegastars, a gambling platform that the ACMA has classified as a prohibited interactive gambling service under Australian law.
The ACMA's warnings, released on a Thursday, came after careful investigations into the players’ advertising activities of Vegastars. These promotions took the form of videos showcasing Vegastars branding, website information, and gameplay, posted on various platforms between March and April 2026.
In the case of Mitch Robinson, who co-hosts the Rip Through It podcast, the ACMA final report dated September 30, 2026, outlined that he had published prohibited gambling advertisements on two occasions: during a YouTube podcast episode on March 10, 2026, and an Instagram video on April 6, 2026. Robinson entered commercial agreements with Vegastars in March 2026, earning approximately AU$120,000 (about $84,132) from these promotions. After receiving an ACMA notice in May, he removed the infringing content.
Rhys Mathieson, also a former AFL player, received a warning detailed in an ACMA report dated October 1, 2026. Mathieson was found to have posted three violating Instagram videos, one on March 20, 2026, followed by two on April 6, 2026. Documentation indicated he earned around AU$19,200 through these promotions. Although Mathieson claimed he was unaware of Vegastars' illegality, the ACMA stressed that ignorance does not exempt individuals from liability under the Interactive Gambling Act (IGA).
The ACMA issued these warnings under Section 64A of the IGA. They pointed out that individuals promoting prohibited gambling services might face civil penalties of up to AU$65,520 per violation, while organizations facilitating access could incur fines of up to AU$2.73 million.
Neptune Projects SRL, the operator of Vegastars, has come under regulatory scrutiny since January 2026, when the ACMA issued a formal warning and urged Australian internet service providers (ISPs) to block access to Vegastars’ main and alternative websites. Despite this warning, ACMA findings show that Vegastars continues to evade ISP blocks, maintaining access to Australian users through various mirror sites.
In response to the increasing visibility of illegal gambling promotions through social media influencers, the ACMA has bolstered its monitoring efforts. Carolyn Lidgerwood, a board member of the ACMA, emphasized the importance for influencers to recognize the legal ramifications of promoting such services, which can lead to substantial financial penalties.
Starting January 1, 2027, new regulations will restrict licensed wagering providers from utilizing current or former athletes, social media figures, or high-profile individuals to advertise their services. This initiative aims to minimize the role of influential personalities in the promotion of betting products.
The legislative push, fueled by concerns expressed during a Senate inquiry into the forthcoming bill, led to heated exchanges on August 4, 2026, where Senator Sarah Hanson-Young challenged the ACMA regarding the provisions concerning notable individuals. Contrastingly, Sportsbet warned that the legislation could impose restrictions on “anyone with an Instagram account.”
