888.com Avoids Being Fined by British Regulators

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: January 24, 2022

Many complain about the US and its “authoritarian laws”, however, when it comes to regulators of gambling and poker, Britain might be even worse. On the other hand, the authority responsible for regulating these laws recently showed that it still can allow certain companies to continue violating them, such as advertising gambling to children.

Ads Date Back to August 2021

The ads, which are under discussion, were made on YouTube UK and were promoting the product of 888 UK on the channel “Calfreezy” owned by the YouTuber Callum Airey, with subscribers of 3.82 million.

He makes videos about cooking while doing some fun things in order to attract the audience, which helps him to increase his subscribers. He never talks about his earnings, but there is an estimate that he has a worth of $1.5 million.

What Airey was promoting was 888.com mobile app. All complaints were related to the fact that Airey was asking his audience to become 888.com users, although the majority of them are minors and can’t take part in this activity legally.  With this, the gambling operator violated Britain’s Code of Non-Broadcast Advertising and Direct and Promotional Marketing (CAP Code), especially the 16.1 and 16.3.12 Rules. These two rules, which are highlighted here, are made to protect children of the age under 15 and young people aged 16 and 17. The CAP Code Rule 16.3.12 states that these rules are violated at the moment when gambling advertising is targeted towards children and young people.

The Allegations Were Proved to be False

The gambling operator and Airey denied these allegations and explained to ASA that they hadn’t violated the CAP rules. They also provide solid evidence that Airey has an audience of more than 75% who are over the age of 18 years, and in the UK, young people over 18 are allowed to play such games. They further added that according to the above-mentioned rule, there should be 25% off viewers who are under 18. 

Airey also provided the analytics of these videos proving there were only 6% to 7.5% viewers aged under 18 while the rest of them were adults. Airey explained that he is over 18 and not targeting minors with that advertising. The YouTube videos were also tagged properly in order to avoid them being displayed to minors. With all the proofs provided, ASA decided to dismiss all the allegations against Airey and 888.com.

In the UK, there are a few gambling regulators and ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) who are responsible for investigating those gambling companies that are trying to attract problem gamblers and people under 18. ASA is responsible for ensuring the safety of those people who are vulnerable to gambling addiction and minors as well. Therefore, if some gambling companies and its sponsor violate these regulations, ASA takes them accountable.

For those not familiar with ASA, it is a self-regulatory organization which is why it can’t reinforce any legislation.