Meta Allows Illegal Crypto Casino Posts to Remain as Australian Influencer Confronts Threat of AU$2.4M Penalty

The promotion of an overseas crypto casino by an Australian influencer on Instagram has sparked new concerns regarding Meta's handling of such posts.

Despite the risk of incurring fines up to AU$2.4 million (US$1.7 million), an Australian influencer continued to endorse an offshore crypto casino to over 820,000 followers on Instagram. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms opted not to take down most of these posts.

Instagram influencer Dinah, who partners with Rainbet, regularly promotes this platform to her social media audience even after a caution from the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) in June 2025 warning influencers about promoting "illegal gambling services to Australians."

According to ACMA, individuals may incur fines up to AU$59,400 (US$41,656) for violations, escalating to AU$2.4 million (US$1.7 million) for assisting individuals in accessing gambling websites, which includes sharing links.

According to The Guardian Australia, Dinah’s followers reported to Meta nearly a dozen gambling-related posts. The social media giant refused to remove most of them, arguing that the content did not violate its fraud or scam policies. In some cases, Meta only applied age restrictions to the posts.

Dinah no longer has a Rainbet link in her bio. The crypto casino blocks access for people from the country, but some players reportedly bypass this restriction by using VPNs.

Australia Is a Major Betting Market

Australia enforces strict online betting laws. While bookmakers can apply for licenses, the country completely bans online casinos. However, Australians continue to gamble heavily.

An investigation by the Grattan Institute showed that Australians lost more money per person on gambling than any other country in 2022, which amounts to approximately AU$1,635 (US$1,146) per person.

Slot machines, often called “pokies,” are commonly found in bars and clubs, highlighting the deep-rooted gambling culture of the country. New South Wales is second only to Nevada when it comes to the number of pokies per capita, with one available for every 88 residents.

Nonetheless, issues related to addiction rates, particularly linked to offshore gambling platforms, continue to pose significant regulatory challenges. The ACMA is committed to strictly enforcing these regulations.

Since November 2019, the agency has blocked 1,455 unlawful gambling websites and has sanctioned operators violating national guidelines. In June 2025, ACMA imposed a AU$4 million (US$2.8 million) fine on Tabcorp Holdings for distributing over 5,700 unsolicited marketing messages. The subsequent month, Betfair was fined AU$871,660 (US$611,273) for similar offenses.

Meta Under Regulatory Examination

Regulatory bodies have also scrutinized Meta’s track record regarding illegal gambling advertisement enforcement.

UK Gambling Commission's Executive Director of Research and Policy, Tim Miller, criticized the company during ICE 2026. He informed regulators around the world that Meta fails to proactively eliminate illegal gambling advertisements. According to Miller, it's "completely untrue" for Meta to assert ignorance regarding the presence of these ads.

He further mentioned that the company seems "content to ignore" this while continuing to earn profits from fraudulent activities.

Revenues from illegal advertising can be substantial. In a November report by Reuters, internal documents suggested that up to 10% of Meta's projected US$164.5 billion revenue in 2024 could stem from illicit advertising. A spokesperson for Meta stated that this figure was an approximation and asserted that the documents misrepresented the company's stance on fraud and scams.

The ACMA declares it will persist in pursuing both operators and promoters of unlawful gambling services as law enforcement efforts increase, thereby putting more pressure on influencers and platforms alike.