Paddy Power Defends Complaints Filed by ASA

By John Isaac,
Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac Editor at online-gambling.com

John Isaac is an editor with many years of experience in the gambling industry. He writes expert articles on card games like blackjack and poker. In addition, he is also well aware of the US gambling laws and the Indian and Dutch gambling markets. You can rely on verified information and insightful details.

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Last updated: June 18, 2022

After a TV Advert from Paddy Power, which depicted gambling as something socially irresponsible, the Advertising Standards Authority filed two complaints against them. In the complaints, the Flutter Entertainment Brand was particularly accused of depicting gambling as a priority over family life.

The TV commercial from the brand featured a man gambling on the ‘Wonder Wheel game’ from Paddy Power using his phone in his living room in the presence of his partner’s family. And the main character, in question, was glued to his phone with no regard for the presence of the family.

After a while, his partner asked him if he thinks she will end up like her mother, and he replied, ‘I hope so’ while still maintaining his gaze at his phone before realizing his mistakes.

In the ASA’s complaints, the authority raised the comment as to whether it encouraged gambling as socially irresponsible behavior.

However, in a response from Paddy Power, it asserted that the ad was meant to show family commitment as the ad set was around a traditional family, while it was added that the main character in question was fully aware of his environment, and he acknowledged the presence of those around him on various occasions.

Second Complaint and Paddy Power’s Defense

Another complaint from the authority referred to the occurrence in the ad where the main character kept gambling repeatedly despite his consistent losses, and the main question in the complaint is stating that no matter how you stuff it up badly, there will always be another chance in Paddy Power games. This line was considered to have enabled repeated gambling in society.

As a response to this second accusation, the brand said it doesn’t believe the highlighted line encouraged gambling repeatedly despite facing loss. According to the report from ASA, Paddy Power said, the line should be judged in the context of the ad plot, and the stuffed up there refers to the comment made by the young man to his girlfriend when she asked a question about her mother.

Paddy Power believes that referenced line is not talking about losing bets, but instead it is referencing an example of stiffing things up in real life.

ASA’s Assessment

The Advertising Standards Authority, however, continued that the picture the brand is trying to paint is about getting a free spin on their game, and if the user didn’t win, they are assured of another spin the following day, which gives another chance of winning.

Also, Paddy Power believes that the ad is not promoting socially irresponsible gambling behaviour because it is not promoting a paid gambling game. The Wonder Wheel game is a free game that gives users a free spin within 24 hours. The brand also defends its stance by saying the ad does not encourage incessant and excessive gambling, and it never depicts anyone doing so.

ASA, however, concluded in its assessment that the ad is encouraging users to prioritize gambling over family, and the statement about getting another chance with the Wonder Wheel game is encouraging reckless gambling behaviour. Which is an action that is harmful to users, especially those high-risk gamblers who should be protected.