Fluffy Animals Gambling ad Was Irresponsible, Says Watchdog

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Fluffy animals gambling ad was irresponsible, says watchdog

28 October 2020

A betting advert which featured fluffy animals has actually been banned after being branded "careless" by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

The video advertisement for Gala Spins - part of the FTSE 100-listed betting giant GVC Holdings - featured 5 toy animals.

The ASA ruled the ad "was likely to be of particular interest under-18s" and therefore "the ad was reckless".

The owner of Gala Spins said it had actually eliminated the advert from all its channels.

The paid-for Facebook post in August included a video caption reading "it's a rollercoaster of cuteness" and a video revealing "fluffy favourite" toy animals.

It prompted a grievance to the marketing watchdog that the material of the advert was most likely to attract kids.

The ASA agreed and stated: "Gambling ads must not be likely to be of particular interest kids or young individuals, especially by showing or being associated with youth culture.

"We considered that the ad was likely to be of specific attract under-18s and for that reason concluded that the advertisement was reckless and breached the [marketing] this promotion code."

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Gala Spins stated it posted the video featuring stuffed animals in error which it was an obsolete video.

It stated its intended target market was ladies aged in between 18 and 65 interested in gambling.

Gala Spins was censured by the guard dog two years ago for connecting gaming and ability in an advert.

One of its TV ads included a man playing on his tablet with a voiceover suggesting: "Try it now and see if you've got the talent."

The ASA ruled that the line "see if you have actually got the yohaig code skill" was efficiently an invite to bet online in the context of the ad, and therefore suggested that viewers could utilize skill to improve their possibilities of winning.

Gala Spins becomes part of Gibraltar-based LC International which in turn is owned by GVC Holdings, which bought Ladbrokes Coral in 2018.

In 2015, GVC processed ₤ 11.2bn-worth of sports wagers through its numerous brand names, including Bwin, Coral, Crystalbet, Eurobet, Ladbrokes, Neds International and Sportingbet.