ASA Sanctions Five Online Operators Advertising To Under-18s

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) have sanctioned five online gambling operators following what the ASA says are breaching advertising codes.

NetEnt Product Ltd (Vikings Video Slot), Evoke Gaming Ltd (RedBet), Multilotto UK Ltd, Platinum Gaming Ltd (Unibet) and Skill On Net Ltd (PlayOjo) have all been identified by the ASA for the first time without a member of the public making a complaint. This is part of the new code that the ASA is running that now does not need a complaint being filed before the ASA takes action on what it feels is breaching regulations on advertising.

All those mentioned were the ASA said were contravening rules that target under-18s with their online adverts.

Part of the new technology the ASA uses now is a child avatar that collect data on adverts that target children, the ASA found that over 10,000 times the child avatar was served with gambling adverts over a period last year.

Guy Parker the Chief Executive of the ASA said: “Online ads are subject to the same strict rules that apply elsewhere and this important new monitoring capability delivers on our commitment to having more impact online.

“It’s already allowed us to spot a problem with a small number of gambling operators and take quick and effective action to ensure children are protected from irresponsibly-targeted gambling ads.

“We’re already looking at expanding this work, as well as exploring how other new technologies can help us protect the public.”

All of the companies mentioned have since admitted mistakes with advertising and said most were down to third party companies advertising for them. All have also promised to remove those adverts in question and ensure that future advertising will adhere to the ASA rules.