Coral under fire for "misleading" Euro 2016 promotion
ASA reprimands bookie for sending out contradicting headlines in newspaper ad targeting Connect customers
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has reprimanded Coral for a “misleading”promotion the advertising watchdog ruled contained contradictory information.
The Euro 2016 free bet promotion, seen in the national press in June 2016, stated it was available to all new and existing Coral Connect customers in any of its retail stores.
Small print linked by an asterisk beneath the ad stated: “Available to multi-channel Connect customers in any Coral shop.”
The ASA noted consumers were likely to interpret the condition as “contradicting”after a complainant was told he was ineligible for the offer as his Connect card was in-shop only.
In response, Coral said the small print was included in error, and said it had taken steps to ensure it did not happen again.
The operator added the complainant had been incorrectly told by the customer service team he was not eligible for the offer.
The ASA ruled the ad must not appear again in its current form and that any qualifications in its future promotions are clarified, rather than contradict the headline claims.