Two former Australian Football League players have been formally warned by ACMA after promoting Vegastars, an offshore casino the regulator classified as a prohibited interactive gambling service. The violations were made in March and April 2026.
ACMA gambling promotions are now formally enforced against public figures. Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson received final reports citing violations of the Interactive Gambling Act. Robinson earned about AU$120,000 from the campaign, while Mathieson earned about AU$19,200. Penalties for individuals can reach AU$65,520 per violation.
- The Robinson and Mathieson Violations
- ACMA Gambling Promotions: Fines and Law
- The Vegastars ISP Block Campaign
- The 1 January 2027 Advertising Restriction
Two former Australian Football League players have been formally warned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority for promoting an offshore casino. The promotions took the form of YouTube and Instagram videos featuring Vegastars branding, website details, gameplay footage and personal endorsements.
The ACMA issued the warnings on Thursday, following investigations into content posted between March and April 2026. Both athletes had commercial agreements with the Vegastars operators, and both payments were tracked in the regulator’s findings.
The Robinson and Mathieson Violations
Mitch Robinson, co-host of the Rip Through It podcast, was cited in a final report dated 30 September 2026. The ACMA found that he published prohibited gambling advertisements twice: a YouTube podcast episode on 10 March and an Instagram video on 6 April.
Robinson signed two commercial agreements with the Vegastars operators in March 2026 and received about AU$120,000, or roughly $84,132, across the campaign. He entered into those agreements after the service had already been classified as illegal.
Rhys Mathieson, also a former AFL athlete, was addressed in a final report dated 1 October 2026. The authority found that he shared three infringing Instagram videos: one on 20 March and two on 6 April. Documentary evidence showed he earned about AU$19,200 from the promotions.
Mathieson expressed remorse and said he was unaware that Vegastars was prohibited. ACMA reiterated that ignorance of the law does not excuse infringement under the Interactive Gambling Act. Both cases show that the regulator is not limited to formal warnings when the promotion is public and commercial.
ACMA Gambling Promotions: Fines and Law
The formal warnings were issued under Section 64A of the Interactive Gambling Act. Individuals promoting prohibited gambling services face civil penalties of up to AU$65,520 for each violation. Entities that facilitate access, such as by linking or directing users to the service, can face penalties of up to AU$2.73 million.
Carolyn Lidgerwood, a member of the ACMA board, said the regulator has increased its monitoring of illegal gambling promotion online. She told the public that influencers need to be aware that promoting these services is against the law, and that anyone using a public profile to endorse prohibited gambling faces regulatory action that can include significant financial penalties.
The two warnings follow a pattern of enforcement rather than a new approach. ACMA’s formal findings are dated 30 September and 1 October, meaning the regulator took months to investigate the commercial arrangements behind the content.
The Vegastars ISP Block Campaign
Vegastars has been under regulatory pressure since January 2026, when ACMA issued a formal warning to its operator, Neptune Projects SRL, and requested that Australian internet service providers block the main and alternate websites.
According to ACMA reports, the service continued to offer access to Australian users through mirror sites, prompting the regulator to seek further ISP blocks. This is the second layer of enforcement: first remove the promotion, then remove the access.
The 1 January 2027 Advertising Restriction
From 1 January 2027, licensed wagering providers will be prohibited from employing current or former athletes, social media influencers and notable personalities to promote their services. The restriction is aimed squarely at the promotional model the two AFL players used.
The guidance followed concerns raised during the Senate inquiry into the bill. At a hearing on 4 August 2026, Senator Sarah Hanson-Young clashed with ACMA over the notable person provision. Sportsbet warned that anyone with an Instagram account could be caught, a point that underscores the difficulty of defining influence.
AGBrief has tracked Australia’s betting advertising rules since the remote wagering tax was introduced.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who has been formally warned by ACMA?
Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson, both former AFL players, were formally warned. Robinson posted a YouTube episode and an Instagram video, while Mathieson shared three Instagram videos promoting the offshore Vegastars casino.
How much did the athletes earn?
Robinson received about AU$120,000, or roughly $84,132, from two commercial agreements with the Vegastars operators. Mathieson earned about AU$19,200 across three promotional videos. Both payments were documented in ACMA’s final reports.
What are the penalties for illegal gambling promotions?
Individuals promoting prohibited gambling services can face civil penalties of up to AU$65,520 per violation under Section 64A of the Interactive Gambling Act. Entities facilitating access, such as by providing links, can face penalties of up to AU$2.73 million.
What happened to Vegastars in January 2026?
ACMA issued a formal warning to the operator, Neptune Projects SRL, and asked Australian ISPs to block the main and alternate Vegastars websites. The service continued to use mirror sites, so ACMA sought additional ISP blocks to cut access.
When do influencers stop promoting betting?
From 1 January 2027, licensed wagering providers cannot use current or former athletes, social media influencers and notable personalities to promote their services. The measure follows Senate inquiry concerns, including a 4 August 2026 hearing over the notable person provision.
This article has been thoroughly researched and reviewed by the CasinoBait editorial team to ensure accuracy and relevance for Asian casino players.
