Gambling: Tougher Brand-new Rules for 'Wager Now' Adverts

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Gambling: Tougher brand-new rules for 'wager now' adverts

14 February 2018

Gambling companies are to face harder brand-new advertising guidelines - including a ban on informing customers to "wager now", the advertising guard dog has said.

The brand-new guidelines, which will restrict adverts during live events, aim to safeguard "vulnerable" gamblers, the Committee of Advertising Practice stated.

CAP, which writes marketing rules, stated the new standards will likewise target unclear offers for free bets.

It comes as betting company ElectraWorks was fined ₤ 350,000 for deceptive advertisements.

GVA, which owns ElectraWorks and brand names consisting of Foxy Bingo, said the adverts have actually been withdrawn and all its offers have actually because complied with the rules.

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Announcing the new constraints, external, CAP stated it will limit any adverts that encourage recurring play or irresponsibly recommend "risk complimentary" deposits.

The upgraded guidelines, which will be used by the Advertising Standards Authority in its choices on grievances, will likewise prohibit adverts that play on consumers' financial concerns or self-confidence.

The new standards will enter into force on 2 April - except for the restrictions on complimentary bets, which apply immediately.

Free bets

CAP stated the majority of problems over gaming adverts associate with consumers being required to make deposits before they can access their complimentary bets or withdraw their winnings.

It stated all free bet and benefit offers need to now state the conditions plainly. Any money-back deals need to likewise be made in money and not perks.

Shahriar Coupal, director of CAP, stated: "We will not tolerate gambling ads that exploit people's vulnerabilities or play reckless with captivating totally free bet and benefit offers.

"Our new guidance appraises the very best offered proof to strengthen the defenses already in location, ensuring that gaming exists properly, minimising the capacity for damage."

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The industry-wide crackdown comes as online gambling company ElectraWorks was fined ₤ 350,000 by the Gambling Commission, external for consistently deceptive consumers with complimentary benefit adverts.

The brand name ran an advert on its betting site Bwin providing to match any deposit of as much as ₤ 30 totally free.

But one customer's complaint, which was maintained by the yohaig code ASA, found they needed to wager ₤ 102 before their matched reward was released.

A week later, the Gambling Commission discovered 6 comparable breaches.

GVC, the online betting firm behind ElectraWorks, said it welcomed the regulator's findings.

A declaration said: "When we disappoint those standards our company believe the yohaig code right thing to do, is to acknowledge the fact, fix the problem and after that ensure that we have taken every essential safety measure to make sure there is no repetition."

Gary Gillies, Managing Director of Big Free Bet, external, said: "We take our position as online betting companies really seriously and we do not want to mislead anybody.

"the yohaig code regards to special deals and totally free bets must be actually clear for customers, however we also have to beware that the guidelines and regulations surrounding our market are not completely over the top."

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