iGaming Industry
ASA the UK watchdog slammed four online operators for affiliate advertorial
Four betting firms have had their ‘socially irresponsible’ adverts banned by watchdogs.
The UK-facing online gambling affiliate industry is facing a fresh assault after the local advertising watchdog upheld complaints against four operators’ affiliate-created promotional content.
Today, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) upheld complaints against marketing content created by an affiliate working for 888 Holdings, Ladbrokes, Sky Betting & Gaming and Casumo.
These operators were slammed for the same piece of advertorial, which appeared on 24hournews.co and casinohacks.co between March and June 2017.
The advertorial, which the complainants felt “had the appearance of an editorial article,” detailed the travails of a man named ‘William’ who was £130k in debt due to his wife’s cancer-related medical bills.
Lo and behold, while taking a break in the hospital lobby to update friends and family about his wife’s condition, an admittedly depressed ‘William’ stumbled across ads for various gambling websites on his mobile, but almost ignored the sites until he noticed their various promotional offers, which he felt were “too hard to pass up.”
Naturally, William went on to win “over 30 times his annual salary in a single spin” and “his debt and financial worries came to an abrupt end.” William went on to buy back the house he’d been forced to sell, pay off the medical bills and take his wife on a pricey honeymoon.
At the bottom of this rags-to-riches story was a ‘comments’ section in which ‘readers’ discussed similar gambling triumphs, alongside banner ads promoting the gambling operator in question.
The complainants took issue with the notion that the ads were pitching gambling as providing an escape from depression and as the solution to one’s financial problems. The ASA itself wasn’t sure the adverts were sufficiently identified as such and made clear their commercial intent.
Each operator responded to the complaints in pretty much the same way, claiming that the ads were created by the affiliate without the operators’ knowledge and had been removed once the operator found out. Furthermore, the operators terminated their agreements with the affiliate due to the ads having contravened the terms of their deal, and warnings had been issued to other affiliates not to make the same mistakes.
The ASA’s blanket response was that, while the advert had been produced by a third party, it was the operators’ products being promoted and their websites to which punters were being directed. As the beneficiaries of the advert, the ASA deemed the operators to be responsible for the “socially irresponsible” content.
The ASA also found that the small text in the banner indicating the story’s “advertorial” nature was insufficient to alert customers that what they were reading was fiction, especially since the body copy referred to “our own Daily News reporter” and was written in an editorial style that belied the copy’s commercial intent.
The ASA ordered each operator to ensure that the ad in question didn’t resurface and to ensure that future ads – regardless of who creates them – are “clearly identifiable as marketing communications” and are “prepared in a socially responsible way.”
Following the ASA’s publication of its verdicts, the red-faced operators have issued statements disavowing the affiliate’s attempt at ‘fake news’ while musing about getting a lot pickier regarding the affiliate company they keep.
The ASA’s verdicts arrived shortly after The Guardian ran a series of articles detailing shady affiliate behavior, which may or may not have contributed to Sky Betting & Gaming’s decision last week to scrap its UK-facing Affiliate Hub portal.
SB&G CEO Richard Flint is scheduled to appear on a social responsibility panel at next week’s Betting on Sports Conference, during which a discussion of the future of affiliates – assuming they have one in the UK market – will likely generate some intense debate.…
The post ASA the UK watchdog slammed four online operators for affiliate advertorial appeared first on Eastern European Gaming – News – Interviews – Legal Market Updates – Premium Reports – Events – Directory.
Source: EEGaming.
BetConstruct
BetConstruct to Showcase Latest Innovations at G2E Las Vegas 2024
BetConstruct, a global leader in the iGaming industry, is going to showcase its cutting-edge solutions at the highly anticipated Global Gaming Expo (G2E), taking place from October 7-10.
As the premier event for the global gaming industry, G2E serves as a hub for innovation, driving growth by bringing together industry professionals from around the world to foster business opportunities.
Taking place at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, this all-in-one event features both an education program from October 7-10 and an expansive expo hall running from October 8-10.
BetConstruct’s stand is 5230, where the team will showcase an exciting range of products, including the newly launched the Last Battle, a novel loyalty system that is the byproduct of BetConstruct’s commitment to innovation. The company will also demonstrate its comprehensive Sportsbook and Casino Suite, along with DECA, its next-level decentralised casino platform, and Umbrella, an AI-powered risk management solution. These offerings are designed to meet the needs of a diverse range of operators, ensuring seamless and engaging experiences for players across the regulated market.
Amusnet
Amusnet Sets the Stage for Global Gaming Excellence at G2E Las Vegas
Amusnet has announced its participation in the 23rd edition of G2E Las Vegas (Global Gaming Expo) at The Venetian Expo from October 7-10. As one of the largest expos globally, G2E provides a platform for the company to showcase products across its Online Casino, Live Casino, and Land-based verticals, positioning Amusnet as a prominent all-casino provider in the competitive iGaming industry.
“We are excited to attend G2E Las Vegas 2024 to present our latest online casino portfolio and Type S slot cabinets: our first-ever product series for Land-based casinos, designed to offer a competitive edge by combining Amusnet’s top-notch game portfolio with an immersive player experience. Our focus is on delivering solutions that maximize performance and cater to the evolving needs for both online and land-based casinos,” said Borislav Marinov, Head of Business Development, Land-based, at Amusnet.
Alongside its technical excellence, the premium Type S series showcases the company’s award-winning titles, including 20 Golden Coins, Extra Crown, Fruits & Gold, and Cocktail Rush. It also features Amusnet’s popular four-level bonus game, Jackpot Cards, along with other exciting features like Free Spins, Buy Bonus, Pick Me Bonus, and Symbol Upgrade.
Amusnet will host an activation featuring its premium slot cabinets at the upcoming expo, offering attendees the opportunity to experience the thrill of Type S in real time and win exciting gifts.
Canada
SoftGamings Doubles Down on Global Expansion by Introducing Tobique Gaming Licence
SoftGamings, the market leader in iGaming solutions and services, announced the arrival of the Tobique Gaming License on the market. The move reflects the company’s commitment to enhancing regulatory compliance and expanding its footprint in the competitive iGaming industry.
Tobique Gaming, managed by the Tobique First Nation in western New Brunswick, Canada, oversees the issuance of online gambling licenses through the Tobique Gaming Commission (TGC) — a regulatory body established under the Tobique Gaming Act of 2023. This initiative is known for its stringent standards and emphasis on responsible gaming. Furthermore, it promotes economic development within the Tobique First Nation community.
The Tobique Gaming license provides operators an entry point into the online gaming and gambling industries. With it, businesses and iGaming operators can conduct operations in various global regions and offer multiple services, from betting to casino games and lottery promotions. The best of all is the streamlined application process, which lasts only 4 to 6 weeks.
SoftGamings is fully prepared to support clients and those interested in obtaining this license. Leveraging its innovative technology and diverse game portfolio, SoftGamings is ready to support clients in navigating the application process and leveraging the benefits of the Tobique Gaming License. The company’s comprehensive services include game development, casino management systems, and payment integrations, making SoftGamings a preferred partner for numerous operators and developers worldwide.
Consequently, helping the clients obtain the Tobique Gaming license and being an entry point represents a significant milestone in SoftGamings’ ongoing efforts to refine its service offerings, maintain the highest standards of gaming integrity, and bolster its regulatory standing. As the company moves forward with this licensing process, it anticipates a positive impact on its operations and continued success in delivering exceptional gaming solutions to its global clientele.
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