ASA warns operators to ensure esports marketing is compliant
Standards body begins ‘comprehensive research’ after sharp rise is vertical betting during coronavirus lockdown
The Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) has begun its research into esports betting-related advertising across social media in the UK.
As part of its research work, the CAP is set to issue advice to licensed UK operators highlighting that esports betting-related content must adhere to the same rules that apply to other forms of gambling advertising.
In the advice notice, CAP, which is part of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), stated that all marketing communications must be clearly labelled as such to ensure the protection and welfare of under-18s from esports gambling communications.
CAP has undertaken research on esports betting so that ‘it better understand[s] what this emerging area for gambling advertising policy means in terms of CAP’s remit and will help it make sure there are no regulatory gaps in consumer protection’.
The standards body also noted it would respond to GambleAware’s report regarding esports gambling by Autumn 2020.