Gambling Advertisement 'double Standard' As PM Touts Child Safety

Anger is bubbling at the viewed hypocrisy of teens being banned from social networks to minimize damage, but still being able to be targeted by gambling advertisements.


Community advocates, Labor backbenchers, coalition and crossbench MPs and even the gaming lobby have actually regreted the federal government for not taking action on betting advertising, 2 years after a landmark report into gambling damage.


Liberal MP Simon Kennedy, who is co-chairing the parliamentary friends of gambling damage minimisation group, implicated Labor of hypocrisy for making such a huge song and dance over child safety when banning them from social networks, but not doing anything to stop them being bombarded with gambling advertisements on other platforms.


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


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


The group is co-chaired by outspoken Labor backbencher Mike Freelander, who is requiring action on the problem and has actually called for 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 bundle to be revealed before March.


The allegations of a go-slow on gambling harm reform have actually stimulated disappointments from Labor as the spotlight is again shone on its failure to carry out the crucial suggestion of phasing out online betting advertising.


A visibly irritated prime minister rapidly closed down a concern from independent MP Zali Steggall when asked if unrelenting betting marketing was acceptable, offering a terse "No" in reply.


Social Services Minister Tanya Plibersek was similarly terse on morning radio, accusing the host of being "consumed about the gambling marketing" when asked about an absence of action and the link between gaming harm and domestic violence.


Ms Plibersek on Tuesday announced more funding for a domestic violence hotline however was asked about frustrations concerning the government stopping working to respond to 31 suggestions from a landmark gaming harm inquiry two years later.


Alcohol and drugs, problem betting and online misogyny were very important factors that required to be addressed, she informed ABC radio on Tuesday.


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


The social services department is named as the lead company responsible for majority of the suggestions, including establishing a detailed online betting damage decrease technique.


Even the gambling lobby has expressed aggravations about the absence of over reforms, floating their own compromises on marketing limits and constraints.


It has also stated it wished to keep online advertising, consisting of on social media and streaming services, but it would only be to logged-in, age-verified accounts so it doesn't target kids, and there would be an opt-out system.