Content on this site will contain reference to products or services from one or more of our advertisers or partners. We may receive compensation when you view ads or click on links to those products or services.
Paddy Power and Sky Bet Cleared of Irresponsible Ad Claims
This month, the Advertising Standards Authority has been publishing its latest rulings regarding customer complaints. While the companies and organisations that have been investigated represent a range of niches as diverse as life insurance and e-cigarettes, two are linked to well-known British gambling brands, Paddy Power and Sky Bet.
Why were complaints made?
The ASA published its ruling on the Paddy Power complaints on 8th February 2023 after determining that the complaints it received should not be upheld.
There were two complainants in the case who took issue with two separate TV ads for Paddy Power that were shown last November.
The first ad offered viewers a “completely free bet builder on all England games” and feature the ex-England football player, Peter Crouch. The second advert also starred Peter Crouch and used a Christmas theme. Both ads used the slogan “Where were you in ’22?” as a push to get viewers to get behind the England World Cup team while also celebrating Christmas.
The complainants’ issue with the adverts regarded Peter Crouch’s appearance, which they felt made the ads strongly appealing to minors and, therefore, breached the advertising standards code.
Not down with the youth!
Paddy Power challenged the complaints by pointing out that Peter Crouch’s last appearance as a footballer for the England national team was in 2010, meaning that his popularity among under-18s had waned. As a 40-year-old, the sports betting brand believed that older viewers were more likely to relate with Peter than youngsters.
The ASA agreed with Paddy Power’s arguments and felt that the complaints should not be upheld.
The ASA’s ruling on a promoted tweet for Sky Bet was also published on 8th February. This time, the image featured the former English footballer Micah Richards and an offer for “£20 in free bets when you place a £5 bet”.
Again, the ad garnered two separate complaints that related to a high-profile footballer’s appearance making the ad more appealing to under-18s.
Sky Bet responded to the ASA by saying that Micah Richards left the Premier League in 2015 and that he has spent most of his time since at overseas clubs. It added that the star is now commonly recognised as a football pundit rather than a former England player and that the tweet had been specially targeted at adults and not children.
The ASA concluded that the ad was not overly appealing to young people or children and, therefore, did not uphold the complaints.
18+. New Customer Offer only. Deposit and spend £10 on bingo tickets within 30 days of joining Paddy Power Bingo. Get £10 as Slots Bonus. Get £30 paid as Bingo Bonus & 100 Free Spins ( £0.10/spin). 1 per customer. Full T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly. GambleAware.org #AD
Other Latest Industry News
by Jennifer McFadyen, December 4th, 2024
Get Ready for Vegas Night at Bally Casino
Get ready for Vegas Night at Bally Casino this December 6th 2024! Bally Casino will be putting the awesome into this jolly season by taking inspiration from the gambling capital of the world – Las Vegas. Players can get into the festive spirit by taking part in this huge event which plans to turn up the neon and excitement with a range of thrilling offers. Find out more about the range…
Christmas is just around the corner and one of the easiest ways online slot players can get into the festive spirit is by spinning the reels of Xmas themed slot games. The good news is that it looks like Santa has come early this year as there is already a multitude of fantastic new Xmas themed slot releases available to spin! This includes top titles such as Santa’s Xmas Rush,…
Safer Gambling Week 2024: An Important Conversation
For most people, gambling is a fun thing to do. A small deposit, a few wagers, or a cheeky flutter here and there can add a bit of thrill to your day. But for some, gambling can get out of control, creating financial and emotional challenges… or worse. That’s why Safer Gambling Week 2024 (SGW) which is running from Monday 18th of November to Sunday 24th of November is so…
Two Developments in UK Gambling Designed to Protect Players
The Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) has announced two measures to improve player protection designed to reduce the risks of gambling addiction while ensuring that more operators contribute to helping people affected. The changes involve new stake limits and a statutory levy. Let’s read more about it. 1. New Stake Limits While full details have yet to be outlined, based on the Gambling Review’s White Paper, the…
The UK's Christmas Favourites: Top Picks for a Festive Feast
As Christmas approaches, UK households gear up for traditions that make the festive season special. At the heart of the celebrations is the Christmas dinner, a feast that brings families together to enjoy a selection of beloved dishes, but what are Brits favourite dishes, sides and condiments? The team at WhichBingo.co.uk surveyed the nation to find out. These are the results… Christmas Dinner An everlasting favourite, it’ll perhaps be of…
Reader comments