The hidden world of influencers and illegal gambling sites

Influencers have a lot of influence on young people. They share their lives daily on YouTube, TikTok and Instagram. What they like, young people often like too. If an influencer carries a brand, promotes a drink or shows an online casino, young people easily adopt it. They see it as normal behaviour and don’t always think about it.

The same applies to gambling. Many young viewers do not understand that they are watching advertising. They only see a person they trust and who seems to be having fun. But behind that image is often a revenue model. The influencer gets paid to promote a site. And that site is sometimes illegal or unsafe.

What influencers often don’t show their followers

In the videos, you mainly see excitement, speed and winning. The beautiful sides of gambling. You rarely see how someone loses everything or what happens when someone becomes addicted. So that image is unfair. Young people who watch think you can make easy money. And they forget that the chances of losing are much higher than the chances of winning.

Some influencers add that they stream “just for entertainment”. But that does little to change the effect. Their followers are often young, impressionable and looking for excitement. The combination of recognition, trust and excitement makes gambling videos dangerously attractive.

LeftlanePapi as an example of how things can go wrong

LeftlanePapi is a well-known influencer who shared online gambling streams. He showed how he played live on illegal gambling sites. He even encouraged followers to gamble too. The Kansspelautoriteit thought that went too far. They first gave him a warning. But he simply continued.

That is why he was given an “order under penalty”. That means he must now stop. If he continues, he has to pay €25,000 per offence. That could go up to €75,000. He has to remove his old videos and is no longer allowed to make new gambling advertisements. In this way, the government wants to send a clear message.

Why young people are most at risk

Young people are susceptible to this kind of content. They grow up with social media. They follow influencers daily and often adopt their behaviour. But their brains are still developing. They don’t always think about the consequences of their choices. That is why they are especially vulnerable to gambling ads.

Gambling sometimes seems like a game. But it is real. And illegal gambling can be extra dangerous. You have no protection, no supervision and often no payout if you win. Young people don’t always know that. And influencers rarely explain it. That adds to the problem.

What influencers should know

Many influencers may not know the extent of their influence. They see themselves as entertainers, not role models. But their followers see them that way. Therefore, they should think carefully about what they share. Especially when it comes to money, risk and addiction.

It would be good if influencers stop promoting illegal gambling sites. Or at least explain what the risks are. But ideally, regulators would like to see them abandon such content altogether. Because young people often do not understand the difference between legal and illegal.

What parents and schools can do

Parents often do not know what their children are watching. Gambling streams are not immediately noticeable. But they are there. So it is important for parents to talk to their children. Ask what they watch, who they follow and what they think about it. An open conversation helps more than a ban.

Schools can also play a role. Lessons on media literacy, online advertising and the risks of gambling are needed. Young people need to learn to look critically. Not everything that looks fun online is also good for you. Especially if there is money involved.

What the Kansspelautoriteit wants to achieve with this

The Kansspelautoriteit wants illegal gambling advertisements to disappear. They want to protect young people from risks. With the case against LeftlanePapi, they want to make it clear that they take this seriously. It is no longer a warning, but an official step with fines.

They hope other influencers will now pay better attention. If they continue, they risk the same sanctions. Social media platforms will also be notified. If an influencer does not cooperate, the platform is asked to take the videos offline. In this way, they are trying to tackle all sides at once.

What this means for the future of influencers

This action is no exception. More influencers are likely to be targeted. The rules are in place. And the controls are getting stricter. Those who want to make money from online content have to play by the rules. Especially if young people are watching.

It also means that influencers need to think about their role. They are not just creators of videos. They influence behaviour. And in gambling, that behaviour is often dangerous. Those who make light of it risk a fine, reputational damage and the loss of their audience.