Watchdog bans ‘irresponsible’ betting adverts

ADVERTS from two gambling giants, which promoted betting on football and the value of Premier League stars, have been banned for being ‘irresponsible’.

Coral broke the rules with its offer of a ‘free £5 bet every Sunday’ for those who wagered at least £25 a day through the week. The Advertising Standards Authority ruled it was ‘likely to encourage’ people to gamble repeatedly and was likely to lead to ‘harmful’ behaviour.

Meanwhile BetIndex was found to have not made ‘the associated financial risks clear’ in its YouTube commercial which presented gambling on the value of football players as similar to a stock market investment.

The ASA said the promotion ‘created the impression that the product was a lucrative investment opportunity’ and concluded it was ‘irresponsible’. Both ads have been banned by the watchdog.

It said industry codes make clear that advertising ‘must not portray, condone or encourage gambling behaviour that was socially irresponsible or could lead to financial, social or emotional harm’.

Coral said it did not think its ad encouraged frequent betting. And BetIndex said its commercial made the risks clear.

The ASA’s decision comes against a backdrop of growing concern over the way gambling giants are using their financial muscle to dominate sport, particularly Premier League football, and the airways through advertising at popular events.