The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has reproached Festival Free Bets for an advertisement seen on X (formerly Twitter) on 12 March 2024, featuring Astrid Wett, who was 23 at the time, at Cheltenham racecourse. This ad raised concerns over adherence to UK gambling advertising regulations due to Wett’s age.

Unanswered concerns from Festival Free Bets:

Despite the ASA’s inquiries, Festival Free Bets failed to respond, prompting the ASA to express dismay at their lack of communication and apparent disregard for the Code. Consequently, the ASA concluded that Festival Free Bets violated Cap Code rule 1.7, which stipulates that any unreasonable delay in responding to ASA inquiries constitutes a breach.

Wett admitted her lack of awareness regarding age restrictions outlined in the CAP Code for gambling ads and expressed regret for her inadvertent breach. She clarified that she assumed being over 18 was sufficient for such promotions and affirmed her commitment to complying with all relevant guidelines.

Reiterating the CAP Code’s provisions, the ASA emphasized that individuals under 25 should not play a significant role in gambling advertisements, except in cases where bets are placed directly through a transactional facility. However, the ASA found that Wett’s prominent presence in the ad qualified as a significant role, leading to a breach of CAP Code rule 1.3 on social responsibility.

The ASA ruled that the ad must not reappear in its current form and instructed Festival Free Bets to ensure that individuals under 25 do not feature prominently in their marketing communications for gambling services. The matter was forwarded to CAP’s Compliance team for further action.

Recent scrutiny on gambling ads:

This rebuke adds to a series of recent criticisms directed at gambling advertisements. In a separate incident, LeoVegas was instructed to withdraw a radio ad for its BetUK sportsbook featuring Adebayo Akinfenwa, a retired footballer, deemed appealing to children. The ASA has consistently upheld the responsibility of advertisers to promote responsible gambling practices, as demonstrated by its investigation into a Mecca Bingo ad suggesting gambling enhances self-esteem.

With the upcoming Euro 2024 tournament, the ASA has reiterated advertising guidelines for operators, emphasizing the prohibition of individuals under 25 in ads and the avoidance of content appealing to minors. These efforts underscore the ASA’s commitment to ensuring ethical advertising practices within the gambling industry.

While the ASA’s focus remains on upholding regulatory compliance, the broader implications of such measures extend to safeguarding vulnerable individuals from potentially harmful advertising practices. By enforcing strict guidelines and holding advertisers accountable, regulatory bodies like the ASA play a pivotal role in promoting responsible gambling and protecting consumers from undue influence.

Engagement with stakeholders:

In light of recent infractions, there is a growing imperative for increased dialogue and collaboration between regulatory authorities, industry stakeholders, and advertising agencies. Through proactive engagement and ongoing education initiatives, stakeholders can foster a culture of accountability and ethical advertising practices, ensuring the integrity of the gambling industry while safeguarding public welfare.

As the landscape of gambling advertising continues to evolve, there is a pressing need for continual review and adaptation of regulatory frameworks to address emerging challenges effectively. By staying abreast of industry trends and consumer behaviors, regulatory bodies can refine existing guidelines to uphold the highest standards of social responsibility and consumer protection in gambling advertising.

Gross On-line Playing Yield (GGY) within the UK reached £1.3bn (€1.51bn/$1.62bn) within the remaining quarter of the monetary 12 months (This autumn), up 5% year-on-year. We additionally noticed enhancements.Seen at his GGY within the brick-and-mortar sector, based on the latest Playing Habits Report revealed by the UK Playing Fee (UKGC)

The reporting interval lined exercise in January, February and March 2023, together with the favored horse racing occasion Cheltenham Pageant.

Individuals believed to be contributors

Charge knowledge confirmed on-line whole GGY elevated 5% within the fourth quarter in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months. The company believes that the expansion of real-world occasion wagering and slots is the primary purpose for the growth in on-line GGY. The entire variety of bets and spins has additionally elevated together with the rise within the common variety of month-to-month lively accounts.

In the meantime, on-line real-event wagering elevated 13% year-on-year to £555m, with whole bets up 19% and exercise on this space up 9% year-on-year. The rise is probably going as a result of Cheltenham Pageant, based on the fee, as UK playing institutions are extra lively through the annual four-day horse racing occasion held through the quarter. . The resumption of the home league after the 2022 FIFA World Cup, which was held in Qatar from 20 November to 18 December, might also have been an element.

Rise of on-line slots and different gaming industries

The variety of on-line slot video games that may be discovered on a few of these UK on-line on line casino web sites has additionally elevated over the previous 12 months, with GGY growing 2% within the sector to five%, aided by a 9% improve in spins. £125 million. As much as 19.5 billion. In the meantime, his common month-to-month accounts elevated 15% to three.9 million.

Moreover, the variety of slot periods lasting an hour or longer reached 8.8 million, up 10% year-on-year. Nonetheless, for the fourth straight quarter, his common session time remained flat at 17 minutes, with a minimal of 6.4% of all periods exceeding his one hour.

Curiously, on-line on line casino GGY fell 4% to £153m, on-line poker fell 7% to £18m and digital playing fell 3% to £12m. Nonetheless, esports betting remained flat at £2m.

Seeking to the remainder of the gaming trade, the Playing Fee expects land-based exercise and whole GGY within the area to enhance by 6% to £585m in This autumn 2022-2023 in comparison with the identical interval final 12 months. I am informed it is getting shut. Spins elevated by 2% to three.3 billion.

Equally in style self-service betting terminals GGY elevated 28% to £125m, whereas the variety of bets positioned on terminals elevated 28% to £37m. In the meantime, over-the-counter stakes fell 5% to £167m and variety of bets fell 4% to £138m.