Advertisements for gambling on Swiss postal bills: potential risk to public and underage individuals?
Rewritten Article:
Swiss Post receipts have started flaunting ads for an online casino, sparking resentment among customers and addiction experts.
Advertising an Online Casino on Post Receipts
Receipts from Swiss Post are currently displaying an advertisement for a Swiss online casino. The casino's logo and a QR code for easy access are present at the bottom of the receipt. Scanning the QR code rewards the user with a CHF 25 bonus, as mentioned on the receipt.
You guessed it - the casino in question is operated by the Grand Casino Baden.
Unhappy Customers and Concerned Experts
Many Swiss Post customers seem quite displeased with the gambling advertisements on their receipts. Their primary fear is that it might increase the risk of problematic gambling due to young people accessing the online casino through the QR code.
As Swiss Post caters to numerous minors, it's easy for them to scan the QR code using their smartphones and land right at the online casino website. Although the advertising encourages responsible gambling, critics argue it downplays the potential risks.
These criticisms extend to addiction researchers and experts, who have already voiced their disapproval of Swiss Post's approach. Monique Portner-Helfer of Addiction Switzerland emphasized the inherent risks of such advertisements:
"Any form of gambling advertising can influence the intention to gamble and gambling behavior. Bonus offers are a significant risk."- Monique Portner-Helfer, Addiction Switzerland, Nau.ch**
She believes that while Swiss gambling advertising can't legally target minors and addicts, fresh legal regulations are necessary to eliminate such potential pitfalls.
Swiss Post's Hands Tied
Swiss Post has responded to the controversy over gambling advertisements on receipts. The Post presently has no authority to stop the advertising due to the ban on discrimination. Swiss Post branches serve as a public space where advertising isn't typically restricted.
The only exceptions are for tobacco, alcohol, certain medications, and pornographic content advertising – as well as misleading advertising. However, the online casino advertising isn't considered misleading.
Advertising Casino Stays Defiant
The backlash over the advertising hasn't gone unnoticed by the casino. Despite acknowledging the concerns, the operator emphasizes the importance of adhering to strict advertising guidelines. They stress their commitment to player protection.
However, like any other business, they must promote their services, and rely on established, reputable advertising platforms such as Swiss Post. The potential exposure to children and young people using Swiss Post's services hasn't been addressed yet by the provider.
Politics Also Weigh In
The debate over gambling advertisements on Swiss Post receipts has gleefully reached the Swiss parliament. Ueli Schmelzer, 63, a member of the SP(Social Democratic Party of Switzerland), voiced his concerns during a parliamentary session about whether these forms of advertising should continue unchecked.
He highlighted the potential social harm that could result from this. He accused the online casino of using the advertisements to hook users on gambling, citing current gambling behavior statistics in Switzerland as reasons for new regulations on gambling advertising.
The coming weeks will reveal whether gambling advertisements on Swiss Post receipts will continue to be commonplace.
Enrichment Data
Overall
Swiss Post may need to confront concerns over gambling advertisements on their receipts due to the dissatisfaction of customers and addiction experts. To address these issues, consider the following legal options:
Legal Framework
- Compliance with Regulations - Ensure all advertising complies with Switzerland's gambling laws, especially the Federal Act on Money Games of 2019, which emphasizes strict regulations for gambling operators, including stringent licensing requirements for online casinos.
- Advertising Restrictions - Owing to the emphasis on responsible gaming, restrict ads to those from licensed operators only, aligning efforts for safe gambling practices and preventing unauthorized gambling advertisements.
Addressing Concerns
- Customer Feedback - Establish a customer feedback channel to better understand public opinion about gambling advertisements, potentially leading to reevaluation of advertising policies.
- Collaboration with Experts - Collaborate with addiction experts to develop guidelines for responsible advertising practices, which might involve including support or reminders to gamble responsibly in advertising materials.
Legal Measures
- Compliance with Consumer Protection - Ensure all advertising adheres to consumer protection laws to avoid targeting vulnerable individuals (e.g., children, addicts). Swiss consumer protection laws could provide additional guidelines for handling gambling advertising responsibly.
- Review of Partner Agreements - Assess partnership agreements with gambling companies to ensure compliance with regulations and ethical standards. Consider adding clauses about responsible advertising practices.
Public Perception and Policy Changes
- Public Opinion Surveys - Conduct surveys to gauge public opinion on gambling advertisements, informing policy decisions and assisting Swiss Post in aligning its advertising strategies with societal expectations.
- Policy Adjustments - Adjust advertising policies based on public and expert feedback. This might include restricting or eliminating gambling ads, like the restrictions seen on platforms like TikTok.
Ultimately, finding the right balance between business interests, legal compliance, and social responsibility is crucial for addressing concerns.
- The advertisement of an online casino, operated by Grand Casino Baden, is now appearing on Swiss Post receipts, causing unease among customers and addiction experts.
- Many young people are at the risk of stumbling upon the online casino through QR codes on these receipts, leading to potential problematic gambling, according to critics.
- Although the advertising emphasizes responsible gambling, it downplays the potential risks, as highlighted by Monique Portner-Helfer of Addiction Switzerland.
- Swiss Post currently has no authority to stop the advertising due to the ban on discrimination, as Swiss Post branches serve as a public space where advertising isn't typically restricted.
- Ueli Schmelzer, a member of the SP party, has brought the issue of gambling advertisements to the Swiss parliament, questioning whether these forms of advertising should continue unchecked.
- The casino operator defends its advertising practices, stating a commitment to adhering to strict guidelines and player protection, while acknowledging the concerns about potential exposure to children and young people.
- The debate may result in new legal regulations aimed at addressing potential pitfalls and ensuring the responsible advertising of casino-and-gambling, casino-games, lotteries, sports-betting, and sports, as well as enforcing responsible-gambling practices.
