Multiple examples of children reciting advertisements and slogans of betting agencies after exposure to adverts during sporting events have been detailed at a Senate inquiry into Labor's proposed gambling reforms.
Independent Senator David Pocock read out correspondence from a parent in his electorate who claims Sportsbet ads were played between songs made for children on music platform Spotify.
Sportsbet representative Jules Norton Selzer said responsibility for that rested with Spotify and the account holder.
"This is exactly why Australians are sick and tired of the BS that you try and tell us," Senator Pocock said on Tuesday.
"You keep telling us 'we're a great industry. We're doing all these things. We want to protect children' and then as soon as I bring up a thing, it's Spotify's fault, it's that parent's fault."
Responsible Wagering Australia chief executive Kai Cantwell told senators existing legislation was enough to address misconduct in the gambling sector.
The inquiry heard another example of a betting agency targeting a 24-year-old who received life counselling and a $100 inducement in the same message from a betting account manager.
Mr Cantwell said he could not respond to the example but said marketing and counselling teams should never step outside of their roles.
It followed the appearance on Monday of Alliance for Gambling Reform chief advocate Tim Costello, who said he had spoken with a man facing a significant prison sentence for stealing more than $12 million to feed his gambling addiction.
Mr Costello called out the Star Casino, Sportsbet and TAB for facilitating the man's addiction and encouraging him to bet more by providing free accommodation, drugs and bonuses.
Multiple witnesses, including a former NRL player Luke Bateman, told the inquiry they had been targeted in a similar way.
Mr Cantwell strongly refuted claims against TAB, Sportsbet and the broader sector.
He urged customers affected to raise complaints with individual operators, law enforcement and regulators for investigation if the allegations were true.
Tabcorp executive Julian Whealing told the inquiry the agency tried not to accept money from criminals.
Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young strongly disagreed with Mr Whealing's characterisation, accusing the betting agencies of avoiding the scale of gambling harms.
"These are people with gambling addictions. It's a health crisis. You just, you just, palm them off as criminals, do you?" Ms Hanson-Young said
Representatives from the Australian Communications and Media Authority also faced sustained grilling for failing to clarify the definitions of influencers and requirements for age verification.
The media watchdog confirmed the legislation includes a limit of three gambling advertisements in an hour, but no time limits on the ads.
SBS told the inquiry it had concerns about the technical limitations in rolling out changes to advertising content.
The broadcaster introduced an opt-out measure for advertising through its on-demand streaming service in 2024 after sustained audience pressure.
Acting head of policy Sophie Kowald said the option had been successful in curbing advertising complaints.
The scheme limits customers to opt-out of one of three categories: gambling, alcohol or fast food outlets.
Senator Pocock said evidence from the inquiry reinforced a recommendation from a 2023 report to get rid of all gambling ads.
Senator Hanson-Young said she could not support the bill in its current form and would work on an alternative policy for a full ban on gambling advertising.
Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles defended the government's gambling measures.
"From the government's point of view, we've done more in respect of problem gambling than any government has ever done," he told reporters in Sydney.
8°C