Shore star’s gambling probe
WATCHDOG LOOKING INTO LINKS WITH UK BOOKIES
GAMBLING adverts posted online by three Geordie Shore stars are being probed by a watchdog.
Gary Beadle, Scott Timlin and Aaron Chalmers advertise odds on sports fixtures and encourage followers to link to betting websites Coral and Ladbrokes.
The Advertising Standards Authority says it is speaking to the gambling operator and discussing “issues of responsible targeting”.
When a new customer signs up they get more free bets, and give their email and bank details to open an online account.
It is understood each of the stars is paid a commission if users sign up to a betting account through their social media accounts.
Between them, the three stars have more than 15 million social media followers and there are strict rules around gambling advertising.
The ASA says its rules mean gambling ads cannot be targeting an audience in which under-18s comprise more than 25% and, if a celebrity is posting on social media for companies, it must be clear it is an advert.
A spokeswoman for ASA said a formal investigation had not been launched but they were speaking to the advertisers.
She said: “We are also having constructive conversations about working with them to ensure that current and future advertisements must be clearly signposted as such.
“Our compliance team is reaching out to the advertisers to get a better understanding of these posts to establish whether there was a commercial relationship between the influencer and the advertiser to begin with.”
Ladbrokes Coral said: “Ladbrokes Coral has what is a very standard affiliate relationship with these celebrities, and which is compliant with the ASA and CAP [Committees of Advertising Practice] rules governing this activity.”
Representatives for the stars have been contacted for a comment.