Australian Minors Exposed to Gambling Ads on Snapchat
Australian were outraged after promotional Snapchat filters from Sportsbet were visible to minors. The controversy reignited calls for a nationwide ban on gambling advertisements, particularly in light of repeated incidents involving the same operator.
Promotional Filters Spark Concerns
The filters, which transformed Snapchat users into racehorses or Sportsbet presenters, carried the operator’s branding and encouraged users to open gambling accounts. Although the links to Sportsbet’s website were supposedly inaccessible to minors, children could still view the filters when shared by adult friends.
Critics pointed out an additional vulnerability: minors who falsified their age during Snapchat registration could have accessed the filters directly. Despite assurances from both Sportsbet and Snapchat that appropriate precautions were in place, public health experts and lawmakers remain skeptical.
Broader Pattern of Exposing Minors to Gambling Content
The Snapchat incident followed a similar controversy involving Sportsbet ads on Spotify. These ads reportedly played between Disney and “Bluey” songs, a placement likely to be encountered by children. This sequence of events has fueled growing concerns over how gambling ads may inadvertently target underage audiences.
David Pocock, an independent senator for the Australian Capital Territory, voiced doubts about the effectiveness of safeguards to prevent such exposure. Simone McCarthy, a research fellow at Deakin University, highlighted the risks posed by constant exposure to positive messaging around gambling, calling the situation “really troubling.”
Renewed Calls for a Ban
Public outcry over these incidents has intensified demands for a complete ban on gambling advertisements. A bipartisan parliamentary inquiry recommended such a measure over a year ago, citing the potential harm to minors. However, Australian lawmakers have hesitated to implement the ban, despite mounting evidence of its necessity.
