Former Brisbane Lions players Rhys Mathieson and Mitch Robinson have been accused of using their social media platforms to promote illegal online casinos, specifically endorsing the offshore gambling company Vegastars. The allegations suggest the duo offered a $5,000 sponsored giveaway as part of their promotional activities, despite real-money online casino platforms being illegal in Australia.
Podcast Hosts Under Scrutiny
Mathieson and Robinson currently co-host the popular AFL podcast Rip Through It, which has attracted approximately 5,000 subscribers on YouTube. Their involvement with Vegastars has raised significant concerns about the influence of public figures in promoting gambling services that operate outside Australian law.
Severe Penalties for Violations
The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has confirmed that penalties of up to $2.5 million can be imposed on individuals found in breach of gambling promotion laws. In a statement provided to Nine, the ACMA emphasized that website blocking remains one of their primary methods for disrupting illegal online gambling services.
Since November 2019, the ACMA has successfully blocked 1,564 illegal gambling and affiliate websites. However, the authority acknowledged that illegal gambling operators frequently establish 'mirror' sites to circumvent these blocks, with Vegastars being a notable example where multiple mirror sites have been re-blocked.
Government Crackdown on Gambling Advertising
These allegations emerge just weeks after the Federal Government announced a partial ban on gambling advertising as part of broader efforts to address Australia's betting epidemic. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese unveiled the plan at the National Press Club, which includes capping television advertisements at three per hour between 6am and 8:30pm.
The new regulations also introduce a complete ban on radio advertisements during school pick-up and drop-off periods. 'We are getting the balance right - allowing adults to gamble if they choose, while ensuring children aren't exposed to betting ads everywhere they look,' Albanese stated during the announcement.
Billions Lost to Offshore Betting
According to Responsible Wagering Australia, Australians are losing billions of dollars annually to illegal offshore betting sites. This financial drain highlights the ongoing challenge regulators face in combating unlicensed gambling operations that target Australian consumers through various digital channels.
The case involving Mathieson and Robinson underscores the complex intersection of celebrity influence, social media marketing, and regulatory enforcement in the digital gambling landscape. As authorities continue to strengthen measures against illegal gambling promotion, public figures face increasing scrutiny regarding their endorsement activities.
