The Committee of Advertising Practice says that new rules they come up with will ensure that vulnerable gamblers are protected during live events.
The Committee of Advertising Practice says that new rules they come up with will ensure that vulnerable gamblers are protected during live events. This committee is the one that comes up with all the advertising rules and targets unfair offers as well as Free Bets.
A gambling firm ElectraWorks was already fined £350,000 since their ads were considered as misleading. GVA is the owner of ElectraWorks stated that the ads were withdrawn and from now on their offers abide the new rules.
When the Committee of Advertising Practice advertised the new restrictions, they made it clear that all the advertisements that promote repetitive play or ‘risk-free’ deposits will be banned.
Advertising Standards Authority will use the new rules in its decisions on complaints, and they will restrict ads that involve an influence on customers’ financial concerns or self-esteem.
These new rules will come into force on 2 April – but the restrictions on free bets will apply immediately.
Free bets
The Committee of Advertising Practice says that most of the gambling ads complaints are connected with consumers being forced to make deposits even before they can access free bets or take their winnings.
That is why all free bet and bonus offers will contain clear terms and conditions. All the money-back offers must be made in cash instead of bonuses.
The director of CAP said that they wouldn’t tolerate gambling that uses customer’s vulnerability. Their new guidance is to use all evidence they possess to strengthen the protections that are already in place so that gambling remains responsibly presented and all potential harm is minimized.
As ElectraWorks has been fined for misleading ads, they made a statement that they accept the new rules and that they are going to abide by them since they have never tried to deceive their customers. As the issue was detected, they took care of it immediately, and they would not let it happen again.
While Gary Gillies, Managing Director of Big Free Bet, said that they take their position seriously. However, that does not mean that they will let the committee come up with rules that are over the edge restrictive. He said that it is a great decision to come up with a standard that will ensure that all the customers are familiar with all the necessary terms and conditions. Nevertheless, the regulations should take into consideration the views and the opinions of both sides.