<
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/jul/07/australian-doctors-call-for-clampdown-on-social-media-influencers-poker-machines-ntwnfb>
"The peak body for Australian doctors has urged politicians and social media
companies to restrict “shocking” content of influencers allegedly glamorising
poker machines on social media, in what it called an incredibly new phenomenon.
The warning comes after a report commissioned by the Victorian government found
the social cost of gambling in the state had doubled – from $7bn in 2014-15 to
$14bn in 2022-23 – despite fewer people gambling.
The report suggested those at higher risk of gambling harm were spending more
money. The figures include tangible costs, like bankruptcy, but also indirect
costs, including emotional and psychological harm, such as depression.
The videos uploaded to Instagram show influencers inserting hundreds of dollars
into poker machines and telling viewers they will continue to do so until a
certain amount of people follow them.
Other accounts collate videos of people winning on poker machines – including
turning $5 into $164,000, without documenting their losses.
Several posts seen by
Guardian Australia can be accessed by children and
teenagers, and do not contain responsible gambling messages. These messages are
required when gambling companies promote their products through broadcast ads,
social media and podcasts.
The new trend has worried public health campaigners who fear the content may be
introducing a younger generation to poker machines and undermining messages
designed to limit gambling-related harm.
Dr Danielle McMullen, the president of the Australian Medical Association, said
the videos were “shocking”.
“They are clearly targeted at young people and seek to glamorise what is a
dangerous habit and not one we would encourage people to take part in,”
McMullen said.
“These videos show that our regulations around gambling just aren’t keeping up
with the 21st century. They are essentially ads for gambling and our
governments need to take a long hard look about how we get on top of this
content.”"
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
