Australian Influencer Faces Backlash Over Crypto Casino Promotions as Meta Holds Firm

An Australian social media influencer with a large online following has come under renewed scrutiny after promoting an offshore crypto casino to local audiences, despite clear warnings from regulators that such activity may breach Australian gambling laws.

The influencer, known online as Dinah, has more than 820,000 followers across Instagram and Facebook. Over the past year, she posted multiple short-form videos showing herself gambling on her phone while encouraging viewers to check her profile for links to the crypto casino Rainbet. Several of the posts framed gambling as a way to fund everyday expenses or spontaneous lifestyle choices, drawing criticism from viewers and gambling reform advocates.

Under Australian law, the promotion of illegal online gambling services to residents is prohibited. Offshore crypto casinos such as Rainbet are not licensed to operate in Australia, and facilitating access to them through promotional links can expose individuals to significant penalties.

Regulator Warnings and Potential Penalties

Australian regulators have warned that offshore platforms often operate outside local consumer protections, which is why reviewing comprehensive casino reviews and platform insights can help clarify how different gambling sites compare in terms of licensing and accountability. 

Last year, the regulator issued a public notice making it clear that social media figures are responsible for the content they publish, including links and referral promotions.

Individuals found advertising illegal gambling services may face fines, while those who actively facilitate access, such as directing users via profile links, risk penalties of up to AU$2.4 million. The regulator has also confirmed that blocking measures are in place to restrict access to hundreds of offshore gambling websites, although some users still bypass these blocks using virtual private networks.

Videos Remain Online Despite Complaints

Despite the legal backdrop, Dinah’s gambling-related posts remained visible for months. Several videos showed her using a mobile device with the Rainbet platform open, accompanied by captions suggesting easy wins or the potential to double her money. In some cases, the content attracted tens of thousands of views and thousands of likes.

Following complaints from Australian users, Rainbet links were eventually removed from her public profile. However, the videos themselves, along with her account, remained online at the time of reporting.

Meta’s Response Draws Criticism

The situation has placed renewed focus on Meta, which owns Instagram and Facebook. Users who reported the posts were informed that the content did not breach the platform’s policies on fraud or scams. In some instances, Meta limited the visibility of videos for younger users without removing them entirely.

Meta’s reporting tools do not currently offer a specific option to flag content promoting illegal gambling, a gap critics say undermines enforcement consistency. The company has previously stated that identifying and removing prohibited content is challenging due to the evolving tactics used by advertisers and promoters.

A Broader Pattern Beyond Australia

The controversy comes amid wider international scrutiny of Meta’s handling of gambling-related advertising. Regulators in several countries have accused the platform of allowing ads for unlicensed gambling services to reach users in markets where such promotions are banned.

In the UK, the gambling regulator has raised concerns about targeted advertising for illegal operators. Elsewhere in Europe, countries with strict gambling ad restrictions have issued fines or demanded explanations from Meta over the presence of prohibited promotions on its platforms.

Meta has disputed claims that a significant portion of its revenue is linked to illegal advertising, arguing that some estimates are overstated. The company says it is investing in improved detection systems, though enforcement remains uneven across regions.

Gambling Ad Reform Still Unresolved

In Australia, the debate over gambling advertising continues, with rules that are well established but increasingly difficult to enforce on global social media platforms. While recent measures aim to limit youth exposure, offshore and illegal gambling promotions can still reach adult audiences with little resistance.

The unresolved issue is whether existing laws can realistically be enforced in an online ecosystem shaped by influencer marketing, including the growing role of gambling influencers around the world, and platform-led moderation, or whether responsibility continues to sit between regulators, platforms, and the individuals promoting the content.