📺 Advertising Rulings

Dribble Media Ltd ran ads for their betting app, Midnite, showing people dealing with everyday frustrations, like a broken scanner or a stuck vending machine, and then claiming their app was a reliable solution. Many people complained that these ads suggested gambling could help escape from personal problems, which is misleading and could lead to harmful behavior. The advertising authority upheld these complaints and ruled that the ads could not be shown again in that way. This means that gamblers should be aware that ads should not imply that betting is a way to deal with life’s frustrations, promoting a healthier view of gambling.

BoyleSports ran an ad promoting a "BANK BUILDER JACKPOT" that claimed customers could earn up to £60 in free bets by placing bets of at least £10 on multiple days each week. The problem was that the ad encouraged people to gamble frequently, which could lead to financial harm. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint against BoyleSports, ruling that the ad was misleading and harmful, and they ordered the company not to run that type of ad again. This means that gamblers should see fewer promotions encouraging them to bet repeatedly, which could help reduce the risk of gambling-related issues.

Videoslots Ltd ran a Facebook ad for their Mr Vegas brand that showcased various online slot games with colorful, cartoonish images, including a pink elephant and a candy-themed design. The problem was that the ad was considered too appealing to children, which goes against advertising rules meant to protect young people from gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ordered that the ad cannot be shown again in its current form. For gamblers, this means that companies need to be more careful about how they advertise, ensuring that their promotions are clearly aimed at adults and not likely to attract underage viewers.

The advertisement from Dribble Media Ltd featured a TikTok video of influencer Mia Mon enjoying a cozy night in while playing lottery and bingo games on an online betting platform called Midnite. A complaint was raised because the ad was seen by a 13-year-old, suggesting it might appeal to younger audiences, which is against advertising rules for gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reviewed the case and decided that Mia Mon's content was more suited for adults, so they did not uphold the complaint and took no further action. For gamblers, this means that the ad is allowed to stay up, but it highlights the ongoing concern about ensuring gambling ads don't target or appeal to underage viewers.

Betway Ltd posted an Instagram ad featuring former footballer Thierry Henry, suggesting that Arsenal could win the league and encouraging people to bet responsibly. A complaint was made arguing that Henry might appeal to younger audiences, which could make the ad inappropriate for promoting gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reviewed the case and decided that the ad did not breach any rules, meaning no action was taken against Betway. For gamblers, this ruling means that similar ads featuring well-known sports figures may continue to be used, as long as they are deemed to target an adult audience.

Cyan Blue Odds Ltd, which runs the betting platform Oddschecker, posted ads on Instagram featuring popular football players Harry Kane and Erling Haaland, claiming they were the most backed bets for the Ballon d'Or and the World Cup, respectively. The problem was that these ads could appeal to younger audiences, which is against advertising rules meant to protect under-18s from gambling promotions. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ruled that these ads shouldn't appear again in that form, specifically banning the use of popular figures who might attract underage viewers. For gamblers, this means that ads will be more carefully monitored to ensure they don’t target or appeal to younger audiences, promoting safer gambling practices.

A recent Instagram ad for a gambling site compared gambling to eating pistachios, suggesting that if you have a bad experience, you just want to keep trying for a good one. This was seen as problematic because it could encourage people to gamble more, even after losing, which can be harmful. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints about the ad, ruling that it trivialized gambling and should not be shown again. As a result, gamblers should expect future ads to be more responsible and not promote risky gambling behavior.

Betway Ltd ran a Facebook ad featuring F1 drivers, including a back view of Lewis Hamilton, promoting the British Grand Prix. The issue was that Hamilton is very popular with kids under 18, which made the ad potentially appealing to a younger audience, violating advertising rules meant to protect minors from gambling promotions. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ruled that the ad should not be shown again in its current form. For gamblers, this means that ads will be more carefully monitored to ensure they don’t target or appeal to younger audiences, helping to promote responsible gambling.

A recent advertisement for Match Bingo appeared on a YouTube channel featuring animated football content, claiming that players could win cash prizes by playing bingo during live football matches. A complaint was made because the ad seemed to target children, which could be harmful since gambling is for adults only. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reviewed the situation and decided that the ad was not aimed at under-18s, so they took no action against Match Bingo. For gamblers, this means that the ad is considered acceptable, and they can continue to engage with such promotions without concern about targeting minors.

Dribble Media Ltd posted an ad featuring footballer Son Heung-Min celebrating with the Europa League trophy, claiming he won £8.10 from a small bet. The problem was that the ad could appeal to under-18s, which is against advertising rules for gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint, deciding the ad was misleading and ordered that it should not be shown again. This ruling means that companies must be more careful about how they advertise to ensure they don't attract younger audiences to gambling.

The advertisement from William Hill claimed, "Enjoy £40 on us! When you opt in and stake £20," which suggested that you only needed to bet £20 to get the £40 bonus. However, the actual requirement was a minimum stake of £40, which was mentioned in small print but was misleading because the headline made it sound like £20 was enough. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the ad was misleading and ordered William Hill to stop using that wording in future promotions. For gamblers, this means they should be cautious and ensure they read the full terms and conditions, as misleading ads can lead to confusion about what is really required to qualify for offers.

Betway ran a YouTube ad featuring football fans wearing Chelsea FC gear, promoting their gambling services. The problem was that this ad could strongly appeal to kids and teens, which is against advertising rules for gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint, meaning the ad can't be shown again in its current form, and they told Betway to avoid content that might attract under-18s in future ads. For gamblers, this means that ads will be more carefully monitored to ensure they don’t target younger audiences, which could help keep gambling away from minors.

Sky Bet ran an ad featuring Gary Neville discussing football predictions, which included their logo and a message saying it was sponsored by them. The problem was that the ad could appeal to younger viewers, which goes against rules meant to protect kids from gambling ads. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and decided that the ad should not be shown again in its current form. For gamblers, this means that ads will be more carefully monitored to ensure they don't attract underage audiences, helping to promote responsible gambling.

Play’n GO Malta Ltd ran ads featuring cartoon characters like an Easter Bunny superhero and anime princesses to promote their casino games. The problem was that these ads were seen next to children's email inboxes, which could attract kids and make gambling seem appealing to them. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the ads were misleading and harmful, so they ordered Play’n GO to stop using such imagery in their ads. For gamblers, this means that future ads will likely be more responsible and less likely to appeal to younger audiences, which is a positive step for promoting safe gambling practices.

In May 2025, Mecca Bingo posted a fun puzzle on their Facebook page, asking followers to name Tom Hanks films using emojis as clues. A complaint was made, claiming that the use of emojis might attract younger audiences under 18, which could be seen as irresponsible for a gambling company. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reviewed the situation and decided that the ad did not breach any rules, stating that the emojis used were not likely to appeal strongly to children. As a result, no further action was taken, meaning that Mecca Bingo can continue using similar types of social media engagement without restrictions.

Buzz Group Ltd posted an ad on Facebook featuring a cartoon figure of a woman labeled as an "action figure," along with bingo items like cards and a dabber. Some people complained that the ad might appeal to kids, which could be harmful since gambling is for adults only. The advertising authority looked into it and decided that the ad didn't strongly appeal to children, so no action was taken against Buzz Group. For gamblers, this means that the ad is considered acceptable and won't lead to any changes in how they see promotions from Buzz Bingo.

LiveScore Betting & Gaming ran ads on their LiveScore app that showed live football scores and betting odds. The problem was that these ads were seen in a version of the app meant for users under 18, which is against the rules since gambling ads shouldn't target young people. The advertising authority upheld the complaint and decided that these ads must not appear in the under-18 version of the app again. This means that gamblers, especially younger users, will now be better protected from seeing gambling promotions that are not suitable for them.

The advertisement from PokerStars showed two people competing in a casino, where one claimed to have "invested" £100 and quickly won a lot of money, giving the impression that winning was easy and guaranteed. The problem was that this portrayal could mislead viewers into thinking gambling is a safe way to make money, which can lead to irresponsible behavior and financial harm. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ruled that the ad must not be shown again, telling PokerStars to ensure future ads don't encourage harmful gambling behavior. For players, this means that ads should now be more responsible and not make gambling seem like a simple way to earn money.

A radio ad for Betfair promoted a game called Prize Pinball on their online casino. A complaint was made because the ad aired at a time when children might be listening, which raised concerns about promoting gambling to younger audiences. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) looked into the complaint but decided not to take any action, stating that the ad was targeted at adults and that most listeners were over 25. For gamblers, this means that while the ad was deemed appropriate, it highlights the ongoing scrutiny around how gambling ads are scheduled and who might hear them.

A recent advertisement from Ladbrokes promoted a rewards program called "Ladbucks," which were tokens that players could collect and use for free spins and bets. The issue was that the ads used language and imagery that could appeal strongly to young people, which is not allowed for gambling ads. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaints and ruled that the ads could not run again in their current form. This means that Ladbrokes will need to be more careful in how they advertise to ensure it doesn’t attract underage viewers, which is important for protecting younger audiences from gambling-related content.

SpinX Games Ltd ran ads for their social casino games, showing images of spinning wheels and slot machines, suggesting players could win real money. The problem was that these ads misled people into thinking they could win cash or prizes, even though the games only offered in-game rewards that couldn't be cashed out. The advertising authority upheld the complaint and ordered SpinX to stop using these misleading ads. For players, this means they should be more cautious and aware that these games are for entertainment only and don't offer real money winnings.

Mobee Co Ltd ran ads for their social casino game, Ignite Classic Slots, claiming players could win big money without spending any real cash. The problem was that these ads misleadingly suggested that players could win real money, which is not true since the game doesn’t offer cash prizes. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ordered Mobee to stop running these ads in their current form. This means that players should be more cautious and understand that while the game is free to play, it doesn’t provide real monetary rewards.

Huuuge Global Limited ran ads for their social casino game "Billionaire Casino" that suggested players could win real money and prizes, even showing a person claiming they bought a Tesla after playing the game. The problem was that the game doesn't actually allow players to win or cash out real money or tangible prizes, which made the ads misleading. The advertising authority upheld a complaint against these ads, ruling that they must not run in their current form again. This means players should be more cautious and understand that while the game is fun, it doesn't offer real-world winnings like traditional gambling does.

Dataverse Co. Limited ran ads for their game "Grand Cash Casino Slots" that suggested players could win real money and prizes, using phrases like "huge welcome bonus" and showing casino-like graphics. The problem was that the game is not a real gambling product; players can only win virtual rewards, not cash or tangible prizes. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints about these ads, ruling that they were misleading and ordered Dataverse to stop using them. As a result, players should be more cautious and understand that this game does not offer real gambling opportunities, despite the ads suggesting otherwise.

A recent advertisement for Coral showed a man dressed for a horse racing event, promoting their services on mobile billboards during the Cheltenham Festival. A complaint was raised because the billboards were parked near two schools, which raised concerns about targeting young people. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) looked into the issue and decided that Coral had followed the rules by keeping the billboards far enough away from schools and only displaying them after school hours. As a result, no further action was taken, meaning gamblers can continue to see these ads without restrictions in similar locations.