TonyBet and YouTube Advertisement Breaches

Both advertisements were launched on YouTube, with the first depicting a man using his phone on the toilet and the words:

“Only 3% of people can do this. Make money while sitting on the toilet.”

The ASA maintained that the advertisement made gambling seem easy and downplayed risks. 

TonyBet responded to the complaint immediately and took down the advertisement, blaming the oversight on “human error” and stating that “due to a high workload, the TonyBet Marketing team missed the material in question.”

The second advertisement featured a woman with a child, and the words:

“It’s hard to pay my rent and take care of my babies,” which was followed by: “But I made $8,500 last month.” 

The ASA complained that the message portrayed gambling as a means of income, which could encourage dangerous gambling behaviour.

The Irish advertising watchdog ordered that the material be taken down and must not run again.

This comes in light of the gradual regulation of gambling activity by the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) and the new restrictions on advertising. 

Gambling advertisements have been under scrutiny since the establishment of the GRAI. Labour leader, Ivana Bacik, believes a total ban on gambling adverts in Ireland is the best approach to the regulation of the sector.

It will be interesting to see the approach the GRAI takes and whether a full ban is necessary or more stringent measures.