Bookmaker Geoff Banks Online warned by ASA over unclear advert

The Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has warned GB Sports Advisors Ltd, trading as Geoff Banks Online, over a betting advert.

The bookmaker received a complaint from a customer who was unable to redeem the promotion. Furthermore, the complainant challenged whether the advert breached the Committee of Advertising Practice (CAP) code due to its omission of conditions.

The CAP code states that promotions must communicate all significant conditions that, if absent, would be misleading.

To qualify for the free bet, customers had to reply to a text from the bookmaker by a certain time. Their free bet also had to be placed by then.

However, the advert did not state that consumers would receive a text or that they needed to respond.

“Those were significant conditions which were likely to affect consumers’ understanding of the promotion,” read an ASA statement. “We therefore considered their omission was likely to mislead.”

The ASA ruled that the advert breached CAP code rules 8.2, 8.17, 8.17.1, 8.17.4 and 8.17.4.a.

Geoff Banks hits back over claims

GB Sports Advisors refutes the complainant’s challenge, saying it believes all conditions are clear.

The advert read, “Bet on the Aintree Grand National and get a free £10 bet on the Scottish Grand National”.

“Geoff Banks will award a £10 free bet for use on the Scottish Grand National if you wager on the Aintree Grand National. Minimum qualifying wager is £10 win or £5 each way. Qualifying wager can win or lose.

“Bets placed prior to 3pm on Saturday 13 April qualify for this offer. Previous free bet stakes awarded do not count as qualifying wagers. Free bet will be credited to your account by Saturday 20 April.”

ASA stands firm over advertising breach

Ultimately, the ASA states that “the ad must not appear again in the form complained of. We told GB Sports Advisors Ltd t/a Geoff Banks Online to ensure their future promotions included all significant conditions.”

ASA has recently targeted Festival Free Bets, which also provides horse racing offers, for using an under-25-year-old to market its deals.