ASA & GRAI Unite to Oversee Gambling Ad Complaints
**Key Points at a Glance**
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) and the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) have formed a partnership to improve the handling of complaints about gambling advertisements in Ireland. The goal is to create a more efficient and transparent system for addressing complaints. The collaboration establishes a clear division of responsibilities: GRAI will handle licensed operators, while the ASA will address other complaints.
Background of the Partnership
The GRAI, a new regulatory authority for gambling in Ireland, will be responsible for licensing and overseeing gambling operators in the future. The partnership with the ASA aims to ensure that complaints about gambling advertisements are processed more quickly and effectively. This is an important step toward strengthening consumer protection and transparency in the gambling industry.
How Does the Cooperation Work?
Under the agreement, consumers lodging complaints about gambling advertisements will be directly referred to the ASA by the GRAI. Both organizations share responsibilities as follows:
– **GRAI**: Responsible for complaints concerning licensed gambling operators within its jurisdiction.
– **ASA**: Handles complaints that fall outside the jurisdiction of the GRAI.
This clear division of tasks is designed to reduce processing times and increase accountability.
Previous ASA Collaborations
The ASA has prior experience collaborating with other organizations. For example, a recent agreement with the Irish Film Classification Office (IFCO) was established to improve the handling of complaints about cinema advertising. Additionally, the ASA has a cooperation agreement with Coimisiún na Meán, the Irish authority for online safety and media regulation, to promote shared interests in advertising standards.
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Comments on the Partnership
Orla Twomey, CEO of the ASA, emphasized the importance of the collaboration:
“We are delighted to work with the GRAI to protect the public from problematic gambling, particularly shielding children from exposure to gambling services. Our goal is to ensure that advertising is legal, decent, honest, and truthful.”
Anne-Marie Caulfield, the incoming CEO of the GRAI, highlighted:
“The GRAI will protect the public by fostering a transparent and law-abiding gambling sector. This partnership underscores our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in marketing communications.”
Our Assessment
The partnership between the ASA and GRAI is an important step toward strengthening consumer protection in the gambling sector. The clear division of responsibilities and collaboration between the two organizations create a more efficient system for handling complaints. Particularly noteworthy is the focus on transparency and the protection of children. This demonstrates that the gambling industry is increasingly taking responsibility for its advertising practices.
Sources:
– No additional sources available.