The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) is set to launch a new and updated eLearning module on the rules and regulations surrounding gambling advertising.
Launching on 29 September 2022, the updated course has been designed to provide gambling advertisers with the necessary tools to produce advertisements that comply with current rules.
In line with the latest regulatory updates, the new module will include case studies and guidance from experts on the new ‘strong’ appeal rules.
New ‘strong’ appeal rules were introduced by the Committee for Advertising Practice to safeguard under-18s and other vulnerable audiences from the addiction-related harms that gambling advertisements may promote.
Announced in April this year, the new rules will significantly impact gambling advertisers looking to promote brands using prominent sports people and celebrities, as well as social media influencers or anyone of potential appeal to under-18s.
The new rules are set to come into effect from 1 October 2022.
The ASA’s updated course will be broken down into four sections: Terms and conditions; Social, cultural and religious responsibility; The depiction of gambling; Betting and tipsters.
The course will conclude with an assessment, and participants will receive a personalised certificate once they have completed it.
The ASA says the course is flexible and will give advertisers the choice to take the module at a time and place most convenient to them.
The module will be available for six months, giving advertisers a reasonable window in which to complete the module.
In June this year, the ASA upheld a decision to ban an advertisement for Paddy Power.
