📺 Advertising Rulings

The advertisement from Festival Free Bets featured a young woman, Astrid Wett, at the Cheltenham racecourse, promoting their betting offers. The problem was that she was only 23 years old, which goes against rules that say people under 25 shouldn't be prominently featured in gambling ads because it could encourage younger audiences to gamble. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint, ruling that the ad was irresponsible and ordered Festival Free Bets to stop using similar ads in the future. For gamblers, this means that companies must be more careful about who they feature in their promotions, helping to ensure that gambling messages are more responsible and aimed at appropriate audiences.

A recent TV ad for the People’s Postcode Lottery featured Emma Willis, promoting a chance to win a huge prize fund of £17.3 million by signing up with your postcode. Some people complained that Emma, who has hosted shows aimed at younger audiences, might appeal to kids and could encourage them to participate in gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) looked into this but decided that the ad was not likely to attract under-18s, so they took no action against the company. For gamblers, this means the ad can continue running as is, without restrictions.

The advertisement from Geoff Banks Online promised a £10 free bet on the Scottish Grand National if you placed a bet on the Aintree Grand National. However, it failed to clearly mention important details, like the need to respond to a text message by a specific deadline to qualify for the free bet. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint about this misleading information and ruled that the ad could not be used again in its current form. As a result, gamblers can expect future promotions to be clearer about the conditions to avoid confusion and ensure they know how to participate.

A recent TV ad for Bet MGM featured comedian Chris Rock promoting their sports betting services, claiming they know how to put on a show and encouraging safe play. Some people complained that Chris Rock might appeal to younger viewers and that the ad could be misleading. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reviewed the complaints but decided not to take any action, stating that Chris Rock's adult-focused career made him unlikely to attract under-18s. For gamblers, this means that the ad will continue to run as is, without any changes or restrictions.

A TV ad for Lucky Cow Bingo featured a dancing cow promoting the website and offering up to 500 free spins. Some people complained that the ad might appeal to kids, which could be harmful since gambling ads should not attract under-18s. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) looked into the complaint but decided the ad was not likely to appeal to children and took no further action. For gamblers, this means that the ad will continue to run, and they can expect to see similar promotions without restrictions aimed at protecting younger audiences.

Zeroo Gravity Games LLC ran ads for their social casino games, claiming players could win huge amounts of virtual coins in just a few spins, which made it sound like real gambling. The problem was that these ads misled people into thinking they could win real money or prizes, which they couldn't. The advertising authority upheld the complaint, deciding the ads were misleading and ordered Zeroo Gravity to stop using that messaging. As a result, players should be aware that these games are just for fun and don't offer real cash rewards, so they should play responsibly.

A TV ad for Happytiger Bingo featured a man who looked young and was described as a "postgraduate student," talking about how fun the bingo games are. The problem was that the ad gave the impression he was under 25 years old, which is against the rules for gambling ads. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and decided the ad couldn't be shown again in its current form. This means that gamblers can expect future ads to follow stricter rules about who can be featured, helping to ensure that young people aren't encouraged to gamble.

Buzz Bingo ran an ad on Facebook promoting "Monster Mondays," where they claimed £50,000 would be given away every Monday in October, featuring fun Halloween-themed animations. The problem was that the ad used cartoon imagery that could appeal to children, which is against advertising rules for gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ordered Buzz Bingo to stop using this type of content in their ads. For gamblers, this means that ads will be more carefully monitored to ensure they don't attract underage audiences, helping to promote responsible gambling.

A recent advertisement for Betfred Casino showed a voice-over inviting viewers to play various casino games. The problem was that this ad appeared during a show aimed at younger audiences, which could lead to children being exposed to gambling content. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld a complaint against Betfred, ruling that they must ensure their ads are targeted appropriately to avoid reaching anyone under 18. This means that in the future, Betfred needs to be more careful about where they place their ads, helping to protect younger viewers from gambling promotions.

Mecca Bingo ran an Instagram ad showing a celebrity drag queen, Baga Chipz, with a "before and after" theme, suggesting that playing bingo could make someone feel more confident and happy. Two people complained, saying the ad wrongly implied that gambling could improve a person's self-image or self-esteem, which is against advertising rules. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) agreed and ruled that the ad was misleading, so Mecca Bingo must not use that ad again and needs to ensure future ads don’t suggest gambling can enhance personal qualities. For players, this means that ads will be more responsible and won’t promote unrealistic expectations about how gambling might affect their self-worth.

The advertisement from XLMedia plc featured Chelsea footballer Mason Mount, who was 24 years old at the time, promoting a service that helps people find betting offers. The problem was that using someone under 25 in such ads is against advertising rules because it could influence younger audiences to gamble. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint, meaning they found the ad irresponsible and ordered that it should not be shown again. For gamblers, this ruling reinforces the importance of responsible advertising and ensures that younger individuals are not used in ways that could encourage gambling.

A recent advertisement for the People’s Postcode Lottery featured a couple who were able to resume their wedding plans after winning £62,500. The problem was that the ad suggested winning the lottery could solve financial issues, which could mislead people into thinking gambling is a way to fix money problems. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ruled that the ad should not run again in that form, stating it shouldn't imply that playing the lottery is a solution to financial concerns. For gamblers, this means that ads must be more responsible and not encourage the idea that gambling can resolve financial hardships.

A recent advertisement by bet365 featured a video of footballer Granit Xhaka scoring a goal, promoted through a tweet from Sky Sports. The issue was that the ad included a player who could appeal strongly to kids under 18, which is against advertising rules for gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint, ruling that the ad shouldn't run again in its current form and instructed bet365 not to use characters appealing to young people in their ads. For gamblers, this means that ads will be more carefully monitored to ensure they don't target or attract underage viewers.

In early 2023, Ladbrokes ran ads on Twitter featuring famous tennis players like Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal, asking fans to predict outcomes of matches during the Australian Open. The problem was that these ads could appeal to people under 18, which is against advertising rules for gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ordered Ladbrokes to stop using these types of ads, especially those featuring popular athletes. For gamblers, this means that ads will be more carefully monitored to ensure they don't target younger audiences, helping to protect minors from being influenced by gambling promotions.

Jumpman Gaming Ltd, which runs the online bingo site Lights Camera Bingo, had a message pop up in browser tabs saying “Hey! Come Back!” when players left their site. This raised concerns that the message could encourage people to keep gambling even if they intended to stop, which could be harmful. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ruled that this kind of advertising is irresponsible, ordering the company to stop using that message. As a result, players can expect a safer online gambling environment without such prompts that might push them to gamble more than they should.

Ladbrokes ran two ads on Twitter featuring Premier League managers, including Eddie Howe, promoting betting odds for managers likely to be fired. The issue was that these ads could appeal to people under 18, which is against advertising rules for gambling. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) ruled that the ads breached these rules and ordered Ladbrokes not to run them again in their current form. This means gamblers can expect stricter advertising practices to protect younger audiences from being influenced by gambling promotions.

A recent advertisement from Ladbrokes featured a tweet with Jake Paul discussing his boxing match against Tommy Fury, asking followers to vote on what he should do next. The issue was that Jake Paul is a well-known figure who appeals to younger audiences, which goes against rules meant to protect under-18s from gambling promotions. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint and ruled that the ad should not run again in its current form, meaning Ladbrokes can’t use popular figures like him in their ads. For gamblers, this means that advertising will be more carefully monitored to ensure it doesn’t target or appeal to younger audiences.

In January 2023, bet365 ran an ad on social media featuring boxer Chris Eubank Jr., promoting an upcoming fight and encouraging people to check the latest betting odds. The issue raised was whether the ad could appeal to people under 18, which could be harmful. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reviewed the complaint and decided that the ad did not breach any rules, meaning no further action was needed. For gamblers, this means that while the ad is allowed, it highlights the ongoing concern about ensuring that gambling promotions do not attract younger audiences.

Paddy Power aired two TV ads featuring former football player Peter Crouch, promoting a "completely free bet builder" for England's World Cup games. Some people complained that the ads might appeal to younger viewers, which could be harmful since gambling should not target kids. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) reviewed the complaints but decided not to take any action, stating that Peter Crouch, being a retired player, was not likely to attract under-18s. For gamblers, this means that the ads can continue running without changes, but it highlights the ongoing concern about how gambling promotions may reach younger audiences.

A promoted tweet from Sky Bet featured former footballer Micah Richards, encouraging people to bet by offering £20 in free bets when they placed a £5 bet. Some people complained that the ad might appeal to those under 18, which could be harmful. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) looked into it but decided that the ad was not misleading and took no further action. For gamblers, this means that Sky Bet can continue to advertise in this way, but it highlights the ongoing concern about ensuring gambling ads don’t attract younger audiences.

The ads from EU Lotto Ltd, promoting their betting service on lottery outcomes, claimed that players could participate in popular lotteries like the Irish Lottery and US Powerball for just £2. However, the ads were misleading because they made it seem like players were buying lottery tickets, when in fact they were only betting on the results. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint, ruling that the ads must clearly state that they are about betting, not actual lottery participation. As a result, players can expect future ads to be more transparent about the nature of the service, helping them make better-informed decisions.

The advertisement for PlayOJO promoted a "Hot or Cold" feature that claimed to show players which games were currently paying out more or less, suggesting that this information could help them choose better bets. However, the problem was that the ads misleadingly implied this feature could predict future wins, which could lead to players making risky decisions based on false hopes. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints about the ads and ordered Skill on Net Ltd to stop using them in their current form. For players, this means they should be cautious and not rely on such features to guarantee success, as the games are ultimately based on chance.

A recent advertisement for the mobile casino game "Wolf Gold" claimed that gambling could help solve financial problems, suggesting that players could earn money to pay off loans or buy expensive items like cars and houses. This was considered misleading and harmful because it implied that gambling could provide financial security, which is not true. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld the complaint, ruling that the ad must not be shown again in its current form and requiring the company to ensure future ads do not make similar claims. For players, this means that they should see fewer misleading ads that suggest gambling is a way to solve financial issues.

A recent TV ad for Coral, a betting company, showed exciting footage of a horse race, aiming to capture the thrill of the event. However, two people complained that the ad could encourage irresponsible gambling behavior, as it created a sense of excitement that might lead viewers to bet more than they should. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) agreed and ruled that the ad was misleading and harmful, so Coral cannot run this ad again in its current form. For gamblers, this means that future ads will need to be more responsible and less likely to promote risky gambling habits.

A recent advertisement for Paddy Power showed a young man gambling on his phone during a family gathering, suggesting that he was so focused on the game that he made an awkward comment to his girlfriend. This raised concerns that the ad portrayed gambling as more important than family and encouraged irresponsible gambling behavior, like thinking you can always try again after a loss. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld these complaints and ordered that the ads must not be shown again in their current form. For gamblers, this means that future ads will likely be more careful about how they present gambling, aiming to avoid promoting it as a priority over personal relationships or encouraging risky behavior.