Coalition MP calls out gambling advertising carve-out

Liberal Member of Parliament Simon Kennedy has issued a stern warning over the federal government’s proposed gambling advertising reforms, claiming the legislation contains a significant “loophole” for digital streaming platforms. The Coalition MP argues that by failing to apply consistent restrictions across all media formats, the government risks undermining the very public health outcomes it intends to achieve.

The critique centres on the perceived “carve-out” for streaming services, which would allow wagering entities to continue targeted promotions in the digital sphere even as traditional broadcast channels face tighter constraints. Mr Kennedy’s intervention highlights growing concerns within the opposition that the current proposal does not account for the shifting media consumption habits of younger Australians who increasingly bypass linear television altogether.

“The legislative failure to bridge the gap between traditional broadcast and digital streaming creates a fractured regulatory landscape where the house always wins at the expense of public interest.”

As the debate intensifies in Canberra, the Albanese government faces mounting pressure from both the crossbench and the opposition to deliver a comprehensive ban. While the wagering industry warns of financial repercussions for sporting codes, critics argue that anything less than a total prohibition across all platforms will simply migrate the issue from the living room television to the hand-held device.