Former AFL players receive formal warnings over illegal gambling promotion

Two ex-Australian Football League (AFL) players, have been formally warned by the Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) following their promotion of an offshore online casino deemed illegal under Australian law. The ACMA issued the warnings on Thursday after investigations revealed that Mitch Robinson and Rhys Mathieson advertised Vegastars, an online gambling platform previously classified by the regulator as a prohibited interactive gambling service. The promotions, in the form of videos featuring Vegastars branding, website information, gameplay footage and endorsements, were posted between March and April 2026.