Former Brisbane Lions pair Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson have been accused of promoting illegal online casinos on social media.
Robinson, 36, and Mathieson, 29, are accused of promoting offshore operator Vegastars and offering a “$5000 giveaway” sponsored by the company.
Online casino sites that offer poker machines and other games for real money are illegal in Australia.
But according to Channel 9, that has not stopped the AFL duo from allegedly spruiking the website.
Alliance for Gambling Reform representative Tim Costello said the claims, if true, were labelled the alleged promotions “outrageous” and added: “It’s utterly irresponsible. Footy players have a duty to young people.”
Robinson and Mathieson co-host the AFL podcast “Rip Through It” — which has 5,000 subscribers on YouTube.
Professional esports player and Twich streamer Robinson also has 58,000 subscribers on his own personal YouTube channel.
The Australian Communications and Media Authority states a penalty of up to $2.5 million can be enforced for those found in breach of the law.
News.com.au has contacted Mathieson and Robinson for comment.
A statement from the ACMA, who regulate the advertising of gambling websites, said: “Website blocking is one of the primary ways the ACMA disrupts illegal online gambling services.
“Since the ACMA made its first blocking request in November 2019, 1564 illegal gambling and affiliate websites have been blocked.
“While the Vegastars website has been blocked, we are aware illegal gambling services set up ‘mirror’ sites to circumvent the blocks.
“We monitor this activity and have re-blocked a number of Vegastars mirror sites.”
Australians are understood to be losing nearly $4 billion annually to illegal offshore gambling websites, according to Responsible Wagering Australia.
And with the unregulated market growing at a rapid rate — far faster than the legal market — Costello lamented the lack of policing in place to prevent it.
He said: “The whole problem is we don’t have a regulator in Australia.
“How’s it possible that in a country with the greatest gambling losses per head, the greatest gambling harm per head, that we don’t have a regulator?”
Midfielder Robinson retired in 2022 after 100 games for Carlton and 147 for the Lions.
He also represented Australia on two occasions back in 2011.
Fellow midfielder Mathieson played 72 games for the Lions across a seven-year spell. He last featured in 2023 — after which he tested positive for Oxymetholone and was handed a three-year ban.
Originally published as Former AFL duo accused of promoting illegal casinos