Australian doctors call for clampdown on social media influencers allegedly glamorising poker machines

Doctors’ warning comes after report reveals the social cost of gambling in Victoria had doubled to $14bn

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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.