The independent senator David Pocock says a government plan that could require podcasts sponsored by betting companies to produce two versions of the same program – so people can avoid gambling ads – is “totally unworkable” and “bonkers”.Under the proposed restrictions, the so-called “triple lock” system will only allow streaming platforms to have gambling ads for users who are over 18 and have logged in. Users must be allowed to opt out of seeing or hearing such advertisements, in order to prevent children hearing them.Department officials confirmed in a Senate estimates hearing on Wednesday that the restriction would apply if a podcast host refers to a betting company when saying something like “we’d like to thank our sponsors”.“That would be considered advertising as well. And so that if you have opted out, you shouldn’t be hearing a host,” Margaret Lopez, the communications department’s gambling branch assistant secretary, told the hearingPocock asked: “So then you can’t hear an entire episode?”The department’s deputy secretary, David Mackay, replied: “It’s a matter for the platform that is hosting that content as to as to how they would handle that.”Sign up for the Breaking News Australia emailPocock described it as a “totally unworkable system”.“Like that is bonkers that you would be saying you can be a podcast, can be sponsored by a gambling company, you can have it in the intro, but you can’t play that to someone if they’ve opted out,” he said during the hearing.“So the podcast hosts now are going to have to have two different versions of their podcast that they upload, and Spotify is somehow going to decide which one they’re going to play, to which person.”Pocock has previously stated his support for a total ban on gambling advertising, a recommendation from the Peta Murphy report on gambling reform.The government is now consulting stakeholders on the legislation, and the feedback received has indicated there may be some technical issues that need to be factored in, but officials rejected suggestions that it was unworkable.Spotify and Apple were approached for comment.Definition of ‘influencer’ being developedInducements – where gambling platforms encourage people to place bets or gamble more often – would not be considered advertising as part of the reforms, the officials confirmed.The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has previously said celebrities and sports players will be banned from appearing in gambling ads, with government officials on Wednesday confirming this would cover social media influencers.“So how does someone know that, know if they’re an influencer?” Pocock asked.Lopez said the definition is being developed as part of the draft legislation.Pocock also criticised the government after it “noted” the 31 recommendations of the Murphy report, rather than agreeing or rejecting any specific recommendation.“To me and most Canberrans that I speak to, noting is not a response. If you respond to something, you actually say: ‘yeah, we like that recommendation, we’re going to do it’, or ‘no, we’re not going to do it’,” he said.“Noting is I think in most people’s minds like a bit of a pat on the head.”But Labor senator Nita Green, representing the communications minister, said the government had responded to the report by announcing the reform package.