Australia cracks down on influencers pushing illegal gambling promotions
Regulators in Australia are sharpening their message to social media creators. They say that promoting offshore online casinos can breach the law. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has again highlighted multi-million-dollar penalties for influencers who share links or otherwise facilitate access to illegal gambling services. The warning has resurfaced after a new report said Instagram posts promoting an offshore crypto casino stayed live despite numerous complaints.
Australian Communications and Media Authority says it is illegal to provide online casino games to Australians, and it warns that influencers can break the law if they profit from promoting illegal gambling services.
The regulator's guidance also draws a line between general promotion and facilitating access. ACMA says the highest penalties can apply when someone makes it easier to reach an illegal service, including by providing hyperlinks.
ACMA says civil penalties can reach A$2.475 million for facilitating access to illegal online gambling services, while individuals who promote illegal gambling can face penalties up to A$59,400.
Alongside the influencer warnings, ACMA continues to use ISP blocking against illegal offshore gambling services. In its October to December 2025 enforcement update, it reported blocking 133 websites, including alternate sites created to evade blocks.
ACMA also publishes rolling updates when additional illegal gambling websites are added to the block list.
If you see a crypto casino promotion on social media, pause before engaging. Look for clear licensing information that matches your location, and check whether the operator appears on regulator warning or blocking pages. Avoid promos that push urgency or gloss over terms and conditions.
If the post makes it hard to find withdrawal information, support details, or responsible gambling tools, consider that a red flag.
