UKGC partners with ASA and CAP

The local gambling regulator from the UK has warned operators over football advertising.

UK.- The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has announced that it has teamed up with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Committees of Advertising Practice (CAP) to reinforce rules for advertising and sports sponsorship. The announcement comes as part of a series of measures to set a stronger regulatory scheme.

The UKGC said that operators must make sure their adverts or sponsorship links do not appear on football website pages that are targeted at children, such as the junior sections of the club’s website.

The local regulator also said that operators should make sure that they do not allow their logos or other promotional material to appear on any commercial merchandising which is designed for use by children. “Operators must also take account of Football Association rules which require that in the case of teams comprising players all under the age of 18, that gambling logos must not appear on any item of kit or clothing,” said the UKGC.

“We also expect firms to ensure their promotions are not misleading and are in line with recent findings by the Competition and Market Authority.”

Moreover, it said that it is not acceptable for gambling websites to display freely accessible ads, which feature images that are likely to appeal particularly to under 18s. “Firms must read the ASA’s updated advice on betting and gaming which may appeal to children and review the guidance published by the ASA in November 2017.” The UKGC added that gambling firms must ensure advertising does not appeal to or target problem gamblers.