Australia’s ACMA Fines Influencers for Illegal Gambling Promotions

ACMA has issued fines and warnings to several Australian influencers for promoting illegal offshore gambling sites—primarily Leon Australia—on social networking platforms Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. This crackdown is considered unprecedented, marking the first time regulators have treated gambling-related violations by influencer marketers with the same level of seriousness as those committed by licensed operators.

Influencers Penalised for Promoting Illegal Gambling

Influencers, take note: Promoting illegal online casinos in Australia is against the law. The ACMA is monitoring this activity closely.

🎰 No giveaways, no streaming, no links.
🚫 Penalties up to $59,400 await those who break the rules.

👉 Learn more: https://t.co/7EhLlHV0bG pic.twitter.com/RIPNRacEnT

— ACMA (@acmadotgov) June 24, 2025

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) announced action against several influencers who promoted offshore gambling platforms—notably Leon—that disguised themselves as Australian while actually holding licenses from Anjouan in the Comoros. The posts in question included ads for deposit bonuses and referral incentives.

So what are the penalties for these violations? Standard promotion breaches can result in fines of up to AU$59,400. But if an influencer is found to have facilitated access—for example, by linking directly to an illegal gambling site or offering sign-up bonuses—they could face fines as high as AU$2.5 million.

ACMA has not officially named the influencers involved, but it’s widely suspected that accounts like DegenerateAngelss and Julian Woods, both of which shared TikTok and Instagram posts promoting Leon Australia around the time reports surfaced, are likely among those targeted.

What the Law Says About Gambling Promotion in Australia

Under the Interactive Gambling Act 2001, it’s a violation of the law to target Australian residents with promotions of unlicensed gambling platforms, whether you’re a registered company, an affiliate, or an influencer. Per the act, illegal promotion includes streaming or posting videos, images, or text about gambling, distributing bonus codes, or sharing referral links without proper licensing.

Civil penalties are structured as follows:

• A fine of up to AU$59,400 for promotion.
• A fine of up to AU$2.5 million for facilitating access via hyperlinks or giveaways.

Even non-paid posts or satirical content can put one on a collision course with the law if they direct users toward illegal platforms.

Examples of Influencer Content That Led to Fines

The table below highlights some of the content and responses tied to ACMA’s latest warnings:

All of these posts falsely, perhaps unknowingly, implied that Neon was legal and did not disclose the fact that it was offshore. ACMA flagged them even when they lacked formal disclosures about sponsorship or affiliation.

ACMA’s Broader Crackdown and Public Warning

These enforcement actions are part of a broader effort by ACMA to clamp down on illegal gambling activity. The regulator has blocked multiple Leon-related URLs through internet service providers after repeated domain changes aimed at circumventing bans. On 28 June, ACMA issued a public warning: influencers are officially “on notice” and face serious penalties if their behaviour continues. ACMA emphasised concern for young Australians being exposed to unregulated content—calling such promotions a “real risk of harm”.

Industry Response and Legal Risks for Influencers

Reaction among marketers and creators has been mixed. Some influencers have stated they believed Leon was based locally in Australia when promoting it.

Legal advisors now warn influencers and agencies to thoroughly verify gambling brands they endorse. There is growing pressure on influencer marketing platforms to better educate creators about Australia’s gambling regulations and how to check for the legality of deals related to gambling before accepting them. These developments all aim to push for clearer, more transparent influencer partnership practices and stricter affiliate compliance standards.

A Global Warning for Influencer Culture

While this illegal gambling crackdown is centred in Australia, there are suspicions it might spill over into other markets and jurisdictions—including the UK, US, and Canada—as they consider how to regulate gambling-related content by digital creators. Globally, regulators are tightening rules around influencer marketing connected to gambling .

What’s The Take?

ACMA’s actions send a clear message—influencers are no longer exempt from gambling advertising laws. With more oversight coming, creators must adapt to avoid steep penalties that diminish whatever they make from the paid partnerships.

Sources & Further Reading:

• ACMA on X – https://x.com/acmadotgov/status/1937314849127535046
• The Guardian – Australian influencers warned after several accounts inadvertently promote illegal offshore bookmakers