ASA Bans PokerStars Ad for Irresponsible Gambling
The Most Important Points at a Glance
The British advertising regulator, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), has banned an Instagram advertisement from PokerStars. The reason: The authority deemed the ad to promote irresponsible gambling. In the video, two influencers competed in a slot challenge, portraying gambling as an easy way to make money.
Content of the Advertisement
The contested advertisement appeared on December 23 on PokerStars’ official Instagram account. Influencers Rory Jennings and Adam McKola participated in a slot challenge at a casino. Each of them wagered £100 over ten spins to determine who could achieve the highest winnings.
During the game, McKola won multiple high amounts, including £185 and £100. Jennings joked about winning strategies, while McKola suggested warming up his finger for better luck. Jennings followed the advice, blew on his fingers, and subsequently won more money. By the end of the video, McKola had a balance of £622, while Jennings had £240. Jennings commented: “Can you believe this? I invested £100 and five minutes later had £240, thanks to my skills at the slots.”
ASA Assessment and Decision
After the advertisement was published, a complaint was filed with the ASA. The complainant argued that the ad promoted irresponsible gambling.
The ASA reviewed the case and identified violations of the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) Code, specifically against rules 16.1, 16.3, and 16.3.1. The authority particularly criticized the following points:
- The portrayal of frequent winnings gave the impression that gambling was a reliable way to make money.
- The scene where Jennings blew on his fingers and subsequently won suggested that luck or trivial actions could influence the outcome.
- Jennings’ statement that he had “invested” portrayed gambling as a financial strategy, which was deemed misleading.
Reaction from PokerStars
PokerStars acknowledged that the advertisement violated regulations. The company stated that the ad had been published accidentally and was immediately removed upon receiving the complaint. Additionally, PokerStars emphasized that all employees involved in marketing campaigns for the UK market undergo mandatory training to comply with advertising guidelines.
You should read that too:
The ASA made it clear that future PokerStars advertisements must not contain socially irresponsible messages. Gambling should not be portrayed as an investment or a regular source of income.
Our Assessment
This case highlights how strictly British authorities regulate misleading gambling advertisements. Particularly problematic are portrayals that present gambling as a secure source of income or something influenced by skill. Operators must ensure their advertisements comply with regulations to avoid sanctions.
PokerStars reacted quickly and removed the advertisement. However, this case remains an example of how closely the ASA scrutinizes gambling advertisements. Anyone advertising gambling in the UK should be aware of the strict regulations.
| Wagering requirements | 35x bonus |
| 35x free spins winnings | |
| Minimum deposit | €20 |
| Maximum bet | €5 |
| Bonus validity | 30 days to claim |
| 14 days to wager / 7 days for free spins |
- There is no maximum bonus amount.
- 10 Free Spins per day over ten (10) days on Gates of Olympus or Book of Ra Deluxe.
| Wagering requirements | 40x bonus |
| 40x free spins winnings | |
| Minimum deposit | 0.0005 BTC |
| Maximum bet | 0.00004 BTC |
| Bonus validity | 30 days after registration |
| 14 days (1st), 7 days (2nd), 1 day (3rd) |
- To get the bonus, enter the bonus code before the deposit.
- Minimum deposit: 0,07 BCH • 0,4 LTC • 233 DOG • 45 XRP • 0,01 ETH • 20 USDT • 69 ADA • 0,05 BNB • 184 TRX • 20 USDC.
- Maximum bet: 0.007 BCH • 0.0009 ETH • 0.04 LTC • 23 DOGE • 2 USDT • 4 XRP • 18 TRX • 7 ADA • 0.005 BNB • 2 USDC • 2 EUR • 2 USD.
- Free spins are provided in batches of 25 per day.
- Free spins are credited on the Gamebeat slots: Max Miner (1st), Book of Elixir (2nd) and Odin’s Tree (3rd).
| 1st deposit | 120% up to $500 + 100 Free Spins |
| 2nd deposit | 100% up to $300 + 100 Free Spins |
| 3rd deposit | 150% up to $500 + 100 Free Spins |
| 4th deposit | 100% up to $300 + 100 Free Spins |
| Wagering requirements | 45x deposit + bonus |
| 40x free spins winnings | |
| Minimum deposit | $10 (1st) |
| $15 (2nd-4th) | |
| Maximum bet | $5 per round |
| Bonus validity | 30 days to claim, 7 days (1st-4th) |
| 7 days for free spins |
- You must complete the registration and verification process, including a valid email or phone number, to qualify for this bonus.
- You must select the desired bonus during the deposit process.
- There is a maximum withdrawal limit of $10 from winnings derived from free spins.
Advertising transparency