ACMA warns MMA fighter over illegal gambling promotion
Jamie Mullarkey has received a warning after promoting an offshore gambling operator on social media in the regulator’s first enforcement action against an influencer.
Australia.- The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has issued its first warning to an influencer fo breaching Australia’s online gambling advertising laws. The regulator says mixed martial arts fighter Jamie Mullarkey promoted an illegal offshore gambling operator through sponsored Instagram posts last year.
ACMA said Mullarkey’s profile included references to the sponsorship arrangement, featuring a link to the gambling website and promotional hashtags associated with the operator. Under Australia’s online gambling regulations, promoting illegal gambling services is prohibited. The restrictions cover sponsored posts, livestreams, hyperlinks directing users to illegal operators and promotional giveaways connected to unlicensed gambling services.
ACMA member Carolyn Lidgerwood said: “Athletes and social media personalities with large online followings can have significant influence over their audiences and can encourage the use of illegal gambling services,” she said.
The regulated noted that Mullarkey ended the sponsorship arrangement promptly, cooperated with the investigation and quickly removed the material. It said he had accepted responsibility for his conduct and expressed genuine remorse”.
Influences who advertise or publicise illegal online gambling services can face civil penalties of up to AU$59,400 (US$38,600). Those who facilitate access to illegal operators by providing hyperlinks or directing users to such services may be liable for penalties of up to AU$2,475,000 (US$1.6m).
Lidgerwood added: “All influencers need to be aware that promoting illegal online gambling sites is against the law and can result in significant penalties. The ACMA will use its full suite of regulatory tools, including these substantial civil penalties, where influencers promote or facilitate access to illegal gambling services.”
