The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned a Betfred sports betting promotion on the grounds that the advertorial messaging was misleading to the viewing public. The advert in question offered a sports betting “risk free £10 in-play bet”, the ASA received complaints that the terms and conditions of the promotion were unclear stating it was unclear the £10 was only offered as a free bet and another that it was not apparent the winnings from the stake would not be returned as cash
Betfred argue that the terms and conditions on the promotions were clearly linked on the promotional content to the Betfred onsite terms and conditions page , making “several references to the fact that the offer/promotion was to be re-paid in the ‘Free Bet’ currency”. Betfred also argue that the promotion was used for retention purposes and communication was sent via email, customers that had already deposited and used Betfred services had been targeted by the promotional offer. However the ASA argued recipients of the e-mail would understand from the reference to ‘risk free in-play bet’ that “they would not lose any of their own money”.
This latest sanction the ASA highlights the recent tougher stance by the ASA on gambling advertising and advertorial in the UK. Two weeks ago SBC reported on the banned advertisement of the Sky Bet money free offer.