Apple's Disneyland style censorship of applications does not cover one crucial area – gambling. For some reason, Jobs' Mob clamps down on porn, swearing, rival applications but lets through applications that let people lose their shirts. Now there are calls for the applications to be banned down under.

Senator Nick Xenophon says iPhone applications allow young children to play simulated poker machine games were irresponsible and should be outlawed. Numerous "slot" machines applications, some backed by gaming giants like Harrah's Casino Hotels, can be downloaded for free and are identical in payouts and features to machines in clubs, pubs and casinos. Senator Xenophon claimed it is irresponsible to allow these applications in the hands of children. He said there was already a big enough gambling problem in this country and there is no doubt this will fuel gambling addiction.

Some of the applications are recommended for 12-year-olds and upwards, while others offer no minimum age suggestions. However Apple could, if it wanted, say that the complaint is a load of drivel because money does not change hands. However it has not taken into account the deranged climate of censorship which seems to have gripped Australia of late.

Senator Xenophon said the use fantasy money, drills home a false impression that poker machines can be a source of money or income. Having a recommended age description of 12 is totally inadequate as it is a training application for kids to lose real money when they turn 18.