The United Kingdom’s advertising regulatory body, the Advertising Standards Authority, raised concerns about a set of posts from gambling firm Betfred marketing a match featuring pugilist Anthony Joshua. The Authority believed that, notwithstanding Betfred’s efforts to focus the promotions on those older than 25, Joshua’s fame, especially on online platforms, meant that the messages could be viewed by and attract underage viewers, a significant transgression in the realm of marketing. Betfred contended that boxing is a sport for grown-ups and the lion’s share of Joshua’s supporters are adults, but the Advertising Standards Authority remained unconvinced.
The United Kingdom’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is taking action against betting advertisements that could be attractive to youths, even if they are not explicitly aimed at them. They lately referenced guidelines from the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) that identify social media profiles with substantial followings, particularly if a considerable portion are minors, as possibly enticing to young people.
This pertains to a current judgment concerning boxer Anthony Joshua, who commands over a million followers on social media. Although just a small fraction are underage, the ASA nonetheless believed his total reach implied he would inherently draw a youthful demographic. This comes after a comparable decision against Sky Bet for a posting showcasing Gary Neville, suggesting a movement toward more rigorous regulation in this domain. It will be intriguing to observe how this progresses.
