The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned two adverts for online gaming operator 888 after ruling that they misled customers over a ‘free play’ offer.
The adverts, which related to the operator’s 888Casino.com brand, comprised a poster on a London Underground platform and claims on the 888.com website that were promoted by 888Casino.
The poster stated: “£88 Free No Deposit needed Slots. Blackjack. Roulette. Live casino”, while text at the bottom added: “18+ T’s & C’s apply.”
The website stated: “Get £88 FREE + Up to £100 bonus on your first deposit… 1. Register 2. Get £88 Free 3. Deposit and Get up to £100 bonus.”
Scrolling down revealed further text that said: “888 Free Play with your favourite casino. Fancy playing amazing casino games for free? Register at 888casino and you get £88 FreePlay*, no deposit needed!”
The asterisk then linked to further text at the bottom of the page that said: “*Valid for selected countries only… New players only… With the exception of a Jackpot win, max FreePlay winnings = £20. FreePlay winnings must be wagered 30 times before withdrawal.”
One complainant, who signed up for the offer before finding out that ‘free play’ winnings needed to be wagered 30 times before withdrawal and players could only withdraw up to £20, argued that the poster advert was misleading.
Another complainant challenged whether the website advert was misleading for the same reason.
The ASA upheld both arguments, ruling that the poster advert did not make clear the restrictions applied to the offer, while the website ad did not give sufficient prominence to significant information relating to the offer.
As a result, the ASA rule both adverts breached CAP Code (Edition 12) rules 3.1 and 3.3 (Misleading advertising), 3.9 and 3.10 (Qualification), 3.23 (Free), 8.17 and 8.17.1 (Significant conditions for promotions).
The ASA stated that neither advert should appear in their current form again, but praised 888Casino’s willingness to amend the adverts.
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