The Advertising Standards Authority have been kept really busy with the new influx of television commercials for online bingo sites being seen on UK TV’s. Not least of which is the Foxy bingo ad that sees “Foxy” singing along to the disco classic, “We Are Family”. This is the second time that the ad has come under ASA scrutiny and lived to be viewed again.
This time the complaint was from Don Foster, the Liberal Democrat spokesman for culture. He objected to the fact that the Fox ad promoted a ₤10 free, no deposit required new registration bonus. The ad does state that the offer was only open to over 18’s and that certain terms and conditions applied. Mr. Foster objected that a Foxy bingo player had to have ₤30 in their account before any winnings could be withdrawn and therefore the ₤10 “free” was misleading.
The company that owns Foxy Bingo, Cashcade, argued that the online bingo site did in fact allow people to use the ₤10 and they had no obligation to sign up for an account. However to prevent abuse, by people signing up for more than one account, having ₤30 in their account before being able to draw winnings was a precautionary measure. The ASA concurred and again Foxy Bingo was let off the hook. The ASA determined that the use of the word “free” was appropriate in the television advertisements.
