Former AFL Stars Warned Over Illegal Gambling Promotions

Australian authorities issued formal warnings to former AFL players Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson for promoting Vegastars, an illegal gambling platform. This action occurred months after regulators had already sought to block access to the same service.

What Happened

The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) issued formal warnings to Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson, both former Brisbane Lions players, for promoting the Vegastars gambling platform. According to iGaming Today, this promotional activity occurred across Instagram and YouTube during March and April, months after ACMA had requested Australian internet service providers block access to Vegastars in January 2026.

ACMA investigators identified videos featuring Vegastars branding, its website address, and footage of gambling activity, alongside commentary encouraging engagement with the service. Robinson utilized his Instagram presence and the YouTube channel for his Rip Through It podcast, while Mathieson’s involvement was identified through Instagram posts, as reported by Nine.com.au. This action highlights the ongoing challenge for regulators in preventing offshore gambling platforms from gaining exposure through influential personalities, even after website blocking measures are in place.

Key Details

• ACMA issued formal warnings to Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson for promoting Vegastars (iGaming Today).
• Vegastars, operated by Neptune Projects SRL, was formally warned by ACMA for providing prohibited and unlicensed interactive gambling services in Q1 2026 (iGaming Today).
• In January 2026, ACMA referred Vegastars to Australian internet service providers for blocking (iGaming Today).
• Robinson and Mathieson accepted responsibility for their conduct, ceased their relationships with Vegastars, and removed promotional content (iGaming Today).
• Carolyn Lidgerwood, an ACMA member, stated that the warnings are part of intensified monitoring of gambling-related activity involving online personalities (iGaming Today).
• Potential civil penalties for individuals promoting prohibited gambling services can reach A$65,520 per contravention, and up to A$2.73 million for facilitating access (iGaming Today).
• ACMA completed 25 investigations involving 60 gambling websites and identified 44 breaches of Australia’s Interactive Gambling Act between January and March, referring 109 websites for blocking (iGaming Today).

Why It Matters

This case illustrates the evolving enforcement landscape in Australia’s regulated gambling market, demonstrating that regulators are broadening their focus beyond just the operators of illegal gambling websites to include individuals who promote them. The involvement of former professional athletes with established public profiles in distributing promotional material for a service already targeted by blocking orders underscores a persistent challenge for authorities. According to iGaming Today, ACMA’s actions signal a clear intent to hold influencers accountable for their role in disseminating content related to prohibited gambling services, aligning with increased scrutiny on the connection between professional sport and online gambling promotion.

The warnings issued to Robinson and Mathieson, while not incurring financial penalties in this instance, carry regulatory weight. ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood indicated this response is part of intensified monitoring of online personalities involved in gambling-related activities, emphasizing concerns about financial harm from illegal services and the influence of public figures. This approach, as detailed by iGaming Today, suggests that future breaches could lead to more severe enforcement actions, including significant civil penalties for both promotion and facilitation of access to illegal gambling services.

What’s Next

Beginning January 1, 2027, Australia will implement new regulations prohibiting licensed wagering providers from utilizing current or former professional athletes, social media influencers, celebrities, and other prominent individuals in wagering promotions. These restrictions, applying across various media channels including television, radio, social media, and online platforms, were accompanied by initial industry guidance published by ACMA on October 19, just days before the warnings to the former AFL players were announced. This regulatory shift will further narrow opportunities for gambling-related sponsorships for sports personalities, even with operators permitted to offer wagering services in Australia, as reported by iGaming Today.

Originally reported by iGaming Today·Published 22 Oct 2026, 08:09