Latest News.... Littlewood's Bingo Allowed To Televise Ad Despite Complaint

The Advertising Standards Authority has permitted St Minver Ltds and Littlewoods Bingo to continue televising their advert which promotes their online bingo site. According to a statement from the authority, a complaint was made by a viewer who challenged the ad was misleading and as it implied large sums of money could be won on multiple occasions could encourage irresponsible gambling. 

The televised advert which caused the complaint showed two players chatting in the Littlewood's bingo chat room whilst displaying the following chat:  "Leanne: What did you just win??? Kate: £500 ... again X."

The authority came to the decision that the advertisement was not in fact misleading.

It has been reported that Clearcast, a United Kingdom company which is responsible for the pre-transmission examination and clearance of television advertisements, responded saying that it did not find the ad misleading. Instead, it said St. Minver had supported the claims made for the number and amount of the payouts, according to the authority. It found the aim of the ad to be setting out how much could be won each day.

According to a statement from the authority, it considered that viewers would understand the scenario did not reflect a typical user's experience and did not encourage irresponsible gambling.

This is not the first time Bingo providers have had problems with their adverts. One of William Hills Bingo advert was banned by the Advertising Standards Authority after it deemed it advocating 'socially irresponsible gambling.

Gambling sites are allowed to advertise on the TV following the 2005 Gambling Act but last year saw the introduction of new advertising and regulations to try and ensure any increase in gambling problems.

If you are worried or concerned about yourself or someone you know may and gambling is effecting their life in a negative way then contact the UK's leading authority on provisions of support, advice and counselling on their own website www.gamcare.org.uk/ .  It also gives players the opportunity to report any bad experiences they may have encountered to help ensure others players avoid similar problems.