The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned ads from Betway, claiming the imagery used could potentially influence underage people. The UK-based operator published an ad on YouTube in May, which had soccer fans showcasing the Chelsea FC logo.
The ASA concluded that YouTube isn’t a suitable platform for the ad as Betway couldn’t guarantee that underage viewers wouldn’t see it, Its ruling stated: “It was likely that there was at least a significant number of children who had not used their real date of birth when signing up to YouTube.”
YouTube’s ad policies mean safeguards are in place to prevent the wrong people from seeing
Responding to the complaint, Betway remarked that it shows Chelsea’s logo in ads as it’s the club’s official European sports betting partner. It also contended that YouTube’s policies mean safeguards are in place to prevent the wrong people from seeing these ads. Betway believes the ban sets a “damaging precedent” for gambling-related sponsorships in sports.
In a similar case, Kwiff released an ad featuring Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton in a social media post promoting the British Grand Prix. The ASA banned the ad, pointing out that 150,000 of Hamilton’s followers on Instagram are under 18 and UK-based, showcasing his appeal to young people.
