Spotify has temporarily suspended gambling advertisements in Australia following concerns about their placement between children's songs. The action came after a father reported hearing Sportsbet ads while playing Disney songs for his children on his personal account.

While Spotify maintains that gambling ads are only targeted to users aged 18 and above, this incident has highlighted concerns about ad placement near children's content. The father reported hearing ads between popular children's content including songs from Moana, Frozen, The Wiggles, and Bluey.

"Playing Sportsbet's ads before and after Disney songs is inappropriate, and potentially damaging to my children," the father stated in his complaint, which called for Spotify to implement an opt-out feature for gambling advertisements on free accounts.

In response, Sportsbet has temporarily halted their advertising on Spotify. A company spokesperson stated, "We are disappointed this has happened and have paused advertising on Spotify while the issue is rectified."

Recent research published in Health Promotion International reveals significant parental concern about gambling advertisements:

• 70% of parents expressed some level of concern
• 27.7% were "extremely" concerned
• 12.7% were "slightly" concerned

Professor Samantha Thomas from Deakin University advocates for a comprehensive ban on gambling advertising, similar to tobacco advertising restrictions. The Australian federal government is under pressure to introduce legislation banning gambling advertisements as early as next year.

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