An October 2022 social media campaign from Ladbrokes led to an ASA warning for the sports betting, bingo, and casino operator. The ad, posted on Twitter, was deemed “irresponsible” due to its strong appeal to under-18s. Compare and choose the best casinos for a safe and responsible gaming experience!
More about the offending Ladbrokes ad
The Twitter ad appeared on the social media site as a promoted tweet in October 2022, and it featured the text, “Can these big summer signings make the question marks over their performances go away?”. Beneath the text, there was an embedded video showing three footballers from the UK Premier League (Chelsea’s Kalidou Koulibaly, Nottingham Forest’s Jesse Lingard, and Aston Villa’s Philippe Coutinho) along with the Ladbrokes logo.
The ASA’s decision and reasoning
The Advertising Standards Agency took Ladbrokes to task over the tweet as it was concerned that such well-known footballers would attract the attention of minors.
The CAP code states that gambling-related marketing communications must not “be of strong appeal to children or young persons”. It also states that ads must not include characters or people whose example is likely to be followed by under-18s.
As many youngsters enjoy watching and playing football, the use of Premier League footballers in marketing communications is deemed high-risk. Therefore, the ASA ruled that as the promoted Ladbrokes tweet did not exclude under-18s from the audience, it was “irresponsible and breached the Code” and must not be displayed again in its current form.
What does Ladbrokes have to say on the matter?
Ladbrokes’ response to the ASA investigation claimed that the “in-house” ad was intended as “a brand engagement piece” rather than an ad as it did not include any links to the Ladbrokes website, nor any special offers or calls to action.
The company added that its marketing team had referred to CAP Code guidance while creating the tweet and accompanying video and had used Twitter’s targeting and age verification tools in an attempt to prevent the ad from appearing in the news feed of under-18s. Ladbrokes also obtained ad tracking data from Twitter showing that 0% of the targeted audience was under the age of 20.
Advertiser Disclosure: When you use WhichBingo, there are never any hidden fees or costs. To help fund our work we may earn a referral commission if you create an account via our site. This commission never impacts the impartiality of our reviews and ratings.
18+. New Bingo players only. Deposit required. Spend £5 or more on Bingo tickets to get a 25 Bingo bonus. 2x wagering requirements apply to bonus. Accept bonus within 14 days. Bonus valid for 30 days. Certain deposit types excluded. Player restrictions and T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. Gambleaware.org #AD
Our social star Charlie Shakespeare has been out on the road filming a brand-new, three-part documentary series, Inside Real Fun Group, taking us behind the scenes at three very unique bingo clubs. Different club names. Different looks. Same great game of bingo. The trailer for episode one goes live this Thursday at 5pm. Read on for the inside scoop. Who Is the Real Fun Group? As one of the UK’s largest independent bingo club…
Welcome to The Re-View, where we look back at the trends, the triumphs, and the top-tier sites that defined the year for UK bingo and casino. We took 100% real player data to answer the questions like: What is the most popular day of the year for bingo? Which bingo site was everyone talking about? Editor’s Note: Play Smart, Play Safe We love the thrill of the “Full House” and…
Bingo news that’s literally hot-off-the-press? Yes please. We’re excited to share with you that next year you’ll be able to dab and spin on a whole new platform! ITV Win is entering the real-money online bingo and casino space. Yes, the same people who bring us This Morning, The Chase, and Coronation Street are gearing up to launch “ITV Win Bingo & Spins”. Right now, ITV Win is ITV’s online competitions hub, where…
Christmas is the season for food, family, and, of course, a good game of bingo. But let’s face it, those classic calls could use a little festive spice! We’ve teamed up with the ultimate food connoisseur and bingo expert Tubz to craft a brand new set of Christmas Food Bingo Calls and get his take on the most important meal of the year. Let the festive feasting begin! The Mains:…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Anyone accessing gambling sites or visiting gambling venues this week will see traditional marketing taken down in favour of Safer Gambling posters, but does anyone actually notice – and more importantly does anyone actually care? conversations we are often reluctant to have From every angle I believe strongly that Safer Gambling Week is a vitally important campaign designed to raise awareness of safer gambling and to open up conversations that…
It may be Halloween but we’re officially saying goodbye to some financial frights in the world of gambling. A significant set of new measures are set to boost the clarity, and ease of use for gambling deposit limits. And there is proven evidence that changes like this will help. The core goal of these improvements is to increase consumer empowerment. Here is what these changes mean for your experience, starting…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Every December, game studios unwrap their festive releases. Cue games with Santa and jingling soundtracks. We’ve tested the newest and most popular Christmas slot games, checked the small print, and brought together the ones that genuinely stand out. In true WhichBingo style, here’s your honest guide to the best Christmas slot games 2025. What they do well, who they suit, and where to play them safely. The 6 Best Christmas Slot…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Aviator, the popular ‘crash-style’ game has been unavailable to UK players for two weeks after its supplier, Spribe, had its operating licence suspended. With an estimated 42 million players per month worldwide and up to 350,000 bets placed every minute, the Aviator game is one of the most popular slot site games in the world. The incident, though frustrating, illustrates the role of regulations, to ensure – among other things…
Your chances of walking away with real cash from a casino bonus are set to improve significantly. New UK regulations are putting an end to unfairly high wagering requirements. From 19th January all casino sites must adhere to a 10x maximum wagering cap on bonus offers, following a landmark ruling by the Gambling Commission. Editor’s Note: Though your ability to convert bonus into real cash is improving, gambling is still…
Kenny Rogers was right. “If you’re gonna play the game, you gotta learn to play it right”. It’s Safer Gambling Week so we’re taking you back to school to teach you how your brain tricks you when you gamble – and what you can do to play smarter (and safer). 3. The Gambler’s fallacy Perhaps one of the best known terms in gambling. The gambler’s fallacy is the mistaken belief…
Anyone accessing gambling sites or visiting gambling venues this week will see traditional marketing taken down in favour of Safer Gambling posters, but does anyone actually notice – and more importantly does anyone actually care? conversations we are often reluctant to have From every angle I believe strongly that Safer Gambling Week is a vitally important campaign designed to raise awareness of safer gambling and to open up conversations that…
It may be Halloween but we’re officially saying goodbye to some financial frights in the world of gambling. A significant set of new measures are set to boost the clarity, and ease of use for gambling deposit limits. And there is proven evidence that changes like this will help. The core goal of these improvements is to increase consumer empowerment. Here is what these changes mean for your experience, starting…
As The Traitors moves deeper into Week 3, former Traitor Paul Gorton tells WhichBingo that while one major decision has now been made, the wider consequences are only just beginning to take shape. Spoiler alert! If you haven’t watched Series 4 Episode 7 aired on Wednesday 14th Jan, you might want to do it now. “One moment changed everything, but the damage doesn’t land all at once”. “The fallout is…
Former Traitors contestant Paul Gorton has been closely watching the latest season unfold and with the introduction of the secret Traitor twist, he believes the game has entered one of its most dangerous phases yet. Speaking to WhichBingo, Paul breaks down what’s happened so far, why certain players are now at serious risk, and whether the twist actually works. What has happened so far in the season? The current season…
The Traitors is back with a bang, and Season 4 has returned with a twist so big it’s already sent fans into full detective mode. The brand-new series launched to huge excitement, pulling in over six million viewers on night one, and it’s safe to say the show is already on track to be one of the biggest TV moments of the year. Off the back of the wildly successful…
We sat down with the one and only Rita Simons to chat about Eastenders, Panto (t’is the season after all), and what comes next for the star in 2026. “I remember Watching The Very First Eastenders Episode” Rita grew up watching Eastenders. “I was a massive fan. I watched the first ever episode with my mum, which must have been back in the 80s. I was born in the 70s…
by
Killian Morris
6min
Updated March 19, 2025
Anita Heffernan
Author & Former Editor
The Bingo Queen is a fun name earned from colleagues through Anita Heffernan's exceptional knowledge and commitment to the online bingo world. With over 20 years of experience as both a player and an expert in the industry, Anita has built a reputation as a trusted authority on all things bingo.
2min 
Reader comments