Instagram Ad from PokerStars Prohibited by ASA for Encouraging Hazardous Gambling Practices
Rewritten Article:
Troubles for PokerStars: ASA Slaps Ban on Misleading Gambling Ad
Remember Rory Jennings and Adam McKola, those gaming gurus you follow on Instagram? Well, they've just landed themselves in a bit of hot water, along with PokerStars, over an ad gone wrong. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned an ad that showed the two influencers engaging in a slot game challenge in a casino last Christmas.
To add a competitive spin, they wagered £100 over ten spins. Jennings joked about winning strategies as McKola scored big—£185 and £100. McKola's funny suggestion to "heat your finger up" seemed to work for Jennings, who won more cash after blowing on his fingers. By the end, McKola was leading with £622 in credit, while Jennings stood at a respectable £240. Jennings declared, "I invested £100 and five minutes later, £240 because of my skill at slots."
But the ASA wasn't amused. After a single complainant questioned the ad's socially irresponsible promotion of gambling, the watchdog launched an investigation. They found that the ad had breached the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code, violating rules 16.1, 16.3, and 16.3.1.
The ASA was particularly concerned about the frequent wins creating a "false sense of guaranteed success" and the visual of Jennings blowing on his fingers, implying that lucky charms or trivial actions could influence outcomes. They also criticized Jennings for calling gambling an "investment," a language they felt trivialized gambling and encouraged viewers to believe in potential financial gains.
PokerStars owned up to the violation, admitting that the ad was published in error and promptly removed once the complaint was received. Assuring the ASA that their UK-based advertising team receives regular compliance training, they promised to guard against such slip-ups in the future.
The ASA warned PokerStars sternly, stating that future ads must not promote irresponsible gambling or imply that gambling could serve as a financial strategy. They emphasized, "Ads shouldn't trivialise gambling, encourage frequent and repetitive participation, or describe gambling as an investment."
This ruling serves as a reminder of the stringent regulations surrounding gambling advertisements in the UK, designed to protect consumers from misleading promotions.
Enrichment Insights:
- The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is responsible for regulating responsible gambling advertising in the UK.
- The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the gambling industry adhere to the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code to ensure that gambling advertisements are not misleading or socially irresponsible.
- Gambling advertisements in the UK must comply with the overall impact on audiences, especially in terms of appealing to children or vulnerable adults.
- The use of certain tactics, such as misleading practices or portraying gambling as a solution to financial problems, is prohibited by the ASA.
- The industry is required to adhere to self-regulation and voluntary codes to avoid irresponsible gambling practices in the UK.
- The Gambling Act of 2005 and 2014 lays down the legal framework for gambling in the UK, and discussions are ongoing for strengthening gambling laws to better address digital gambling and cryptoasset use.
- The ASA has emphasized that future casino and gambling advertisements, such as those promoting casino games like slots, should not portray gambling as a financial investment or trivialise its potential consequences, as these attitudes can foster irresponsible gambling habits.
- Despite the casino culture that encourages big wins and strategic approaches to casino-gambling trends, the ASA has prohibited the use of tactics that create a false sense of guaranteed success, like frequent wins in ads, as they can mislead viewers and promote irresponsible gambling.
- To maintain a responsible gambling environment, it is essential for the casino industry to follow the guidelines set by the ASA, the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code, and the Gambling Act of 2005, as well as undergo regular compliance training to ensure that advertisements do not inadvertently encourage socially irresponsible gambling practices.
