TikTok has twice removed a video criticising the damage caused by gambling advertisements, while simultaneously increasing the amount of wagering content on the platform.
In July, Kate Susabu uploaded a video criticising the number of gambling advertisements on broadcast television while citing her grandfather’s struggle with addiction.
She linked to an online petition calling for broadcasters to stop accepting advertising money from gambling companies. She cited a study by the Australian Institute of Family Studies that found more than 70% of male gamblers aged 18 to 35 were at risk of harm.
But the videos were not accepted by TikTok because they violated “community guidelines”. The social media platform does not allow content that explicitly references gambling, unless it is part of an approved partnership with four wagering companies.
Late last year, TikTok abandoned its policy of no gambling content after striking a deal with Australia’s largest online gambling company Sportsbet. At the time, public health experts accused the company of using the trial to recruit a younger generation of gamblers.
In May, TikTok quietly expanded the trial of wagering partnerships, despite widespread criticism, to include the companies Neds and Dabble. The videos often rely on former athletes or influencers and are not always obviously ads.
Susabu said the automatic rejection of her videos by TikTok was “beyond disappointing” given the increasing amount of gambling content.
“My focus is on positive social change and considering how gambling is shown to exacerbate social problems, it is mind-boggling that TikTok removed the video promoting my anti-gambling petition and not once but twice,” Susabu said.
“Furthermore, it is rank hypocrisy that a company marketing its app as something fun for teens, makes money off gambling companies by allowing them to run ads on its platform.”
The ban on Susabu’s videos was overturned on Wednesday, when Guardian Australia contacted the company for comment.
“Aside from our ongoing controlled approach to gambling advertising, we do not allow other content depicting gambling on our platform, as outlined in our community guidelines,” a Tiktok spokesperson said.
“Users can readily appeal strikes they receive for violations of our community guidelines in-app.”
Marketing experts have accused gambling companies of using the TikTok trial to target young women with advertising designed to diversify its predominately male client base. Some videos feature young women betting and laughing with male friends.
The TikTok spokesperson said the ads are targeted at those aged 21 and older and that the company limits the amount of time they are shown.
“There is an opt out feature for those who do not wish to see the ads. We are also continuing to monitor the ads to ensure that all users have a safe experience,” the spokesperson said.
A parliamentary inquiry has recommended ads for online gambling should be banned across all media and at all times within three years to combat the manipulation of an “impressionable and vulnerable audience”.
The federal government is expected to respond to the inquiry’s recommendations in coming months and is being lobbied by gambling companies and harm reduction advocates.
Gambling content on TikTok contains the mandated slogans designed to reduce gambling harm, including “chances are you’re about to lose”. But gambling researchers argue these are less effective on TikTok.
“When you’re watching television, you’re forced to watch that message but on TikTok most users have already swiped to watch another video,” said Deakin University’s Simone McCarthy earlier this year.
