Gambling Ad 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety

Anger is bubbling at the viewed hypocrisy of teens being prohibited from social networks to minimize harm, however still having the ability to be targeted by betting ads.


Community advocates, Labor backbenchers, coalition and crossbench MPs and even the gambling lobby have regreted the federal government for not taking action on gambling advertising, two years after a landmark report into gambling damage.


Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary buddies of gambling harm minimisation group, accused Labor of hypocrisy for making such a huge tune and dance over kid security when banning them from social media, however not doing anything to stop them being bombarded with betting ads on other platforms.


"The prime minister wants to prohibit teens from social networks in the name of child safety, yet he declines to challenge the betting market that is actively targeting young Australians online or on TV," Mr Kennedy informed AAP.


"Australians ought to ask why the prime minister has this double requirement."


The group is co-chaired by outspoken Labor backbencher Mike Freelander, who is demanding action on the issue and has actually required a conscience vote on reforms to guarantee they pass in a timely manner.


There are rumours Communications Minister Anika Wells is working on a reform plan to be unveiled before March.


The allegations of a go-slow on gambling harm reform have stimulated frustrations from Labor as the spotlight is once again shone on its failure to carry out the key suggestion of phasing out online gaming advertising.


A visibly irritated prime minister quickly closed down a concern from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if unrelenting gaming was appropriate, using a terse "No" in reply.


Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was equally terse on early morning radio, implicating the host of being "obsessed about the gaming marketing" when asked about an absence of action and the link between betting harm and domestic violence.


Ms Plibersek on Tuesday announced more funding for a domestic violence hotline but was asked about aggravations concerning the government failing to reply to 31 recommendations from a landmark gaming damage inquiry two years later on.


Alcohol and drugs, problem gaming and online misogyny were very important aspects that required to be dealt with, she informed ABC radio on Tuesday.


"Will continue to work to address this as an issue but it's not the only issue when it pertains to household, domestic and sexual violence," she said.


The social services department is named as the lead firm accountable for over half of the recommendations, consisting of establishing a comprehensive online gaming harm decrease technique.


Even the betting lobby has revealed disappointments about the absence of certainty over reforms, drifting their own compromises on advertising limitations and constraints.


It has likewise said it wished to keep online marketing, including on social networks and streaming services, but it would just be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it does not target kids, and there would be an opt-out mechanism.