The Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) says it is now monitoring social media influencers who post content of poker machine play or other gambling avenues to determine whether their actions can be constituted as illegal gambling in the state.
It is confirmed it is considering regulatory and legal avenues to cease such activity should any breaches under the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 be detected. The Act prohibits the promotion and advertising of poker machines.
VGCCC CEO Suzy Neilan said social media influencers who promote gambling are not only exposing Victorians to harm but could be breaking the law.
“When influencers fan out wads of cash and celebrate winning thousands of dollars, they’re not only sharing content, but they’re also shaping perceptions and attitudes towards gambling and downplaying the very real risk of harm that comes with it,” she said.
“Gambling products, particularly poker machines and sports betting apps, can carry high risks of harm to people who gamble, and we’re not seeing that reality represented on social media.”
The VGCCC has revealed it will through a targeted social media campaign look to make influencers aware of the potential harm gambling can cause and the legal risks they face by promoting poker machines on their channels.
“We are aware of influencers and other social media accounts posting content portraying gambling as harmless fun, a lifestyle, or a source of easy money,” Neilan added. “Many influencers have significant sway with their audiences and are regarded as aspirational figures among young adults aged 18 to 24.
“Through these posts, young people are led to believe gambling doesn’t carry risk and pick-up gambling without understanding the potential for harm.”
The regulator also noted that player losses on poker machines in Victoria totaled AU$3.14 billion in the last financial year. It also cited research from the Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation and from the University of Sydney which found that gambling content on social media contributes to the normalization of gambling among young people.
Gaming venues, which are not permitted to advertise poker machines outside of their gaming areas, are similarly required to set clear conditions of entry, including prohibiting filming in their premises, the VGCCC added.
“People should not be filming content inside venues and some venues have already imposed a ‘no filming’ condition in their gaming rooms. It is our expectation that other venue operators follow suit,” Neilan said.
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