Czech Ministry targets illegal gambling promotions by influencers

The Czech Ministry of Finance has warned influencers against illegally promoting unlicensed gambling sites. The Ministry noted an increase in influencers replacing traditional gambling advertisements.

It is particularly concerned that these promotions can reach many young people, including minors, within seconds.

Influencers promoting illegal gambling can face fines of up to millions of Czech Koruna, administrative proceedings, account restrictions and reputational damage.

While licensed online gambling advertising remains permitted in the Czech Republic, subject to relevant regulations, the Ministry emphasised that promoting any unlicensed online casino, betting platform or similar service is illegal. This is regardless of whether the influencer received payment or simply "shared a tip."

The so-called session videos showing the influencer playing on an illegal platform while commenting on and promoting the game were highlighted. According to the Ministry, this is a classic affiliate model, but with one major catch: if the promoted platform lacks a license, it is illegal.

The Ministry outlined specific examples of violations that most often occur in practice to educate influencers. Examples include sharing links to an unlicensed online casino or other gambling game, as well as promoting promo codes or bonuses.

These are just two examples, while the official Ministry communication lays down these practices in depth.

At the beginning of this month, the Ministry issued a notice proposing to add 21 domains to its List of Unauthorised Internet Games, continuing a series of enforcement actions against unlicensed online gambling.

Sixteen domains were cited for directly operating prohibited internet gambling, while five were accused of facilitating or concealing violations.

The Czech action is part of a broader trend of regulators targeting influencers. In Brazil, Virginia Fonseca – one of the country's biggest influencers with over 52 million followers – has announced she will no longer advertise betting platforms, having built much of her early success on gambling promotions.