ASA bans Paddy Power Betting Campaign
10th December, 2008
Controversy was sparked today regarding an advert by Paddy Power. The press campaign gave customers the odds on the likelihood of 14 airlines going into administration. While it can be said that the campaign topic is a viable betting platform, there is the issue of professional curtsy.
The full paged ad gave odds on airlines including BA, EasyJet and Virgin Atlantic, ranging from 3/1 for FlyGlobespan through to 100/1 for BA. However after receiving complaints the ASA investigated the advert titled ‘Next Airline to go BUST?’
It was said the ad was offensive, as it implied the airlines named were at risk of going into administration. However Paddy Power disputed this claim stating that it was the market leader for providing odds on topical news stories, and the advert had been produced following “numerous requests” from the public since two carriers went into administration.
The ASA said that the campaign “inevitably suggested that airlines were at risk of entering administration and that some were more at risk than others,” and so concluded the ad was to be banned as it “unfairly discredited” the airlines.
Paddy Powers response was that it felt the sector to be a “legitimate betting market” and referred to its performance saying it was one of their most popular non-sports gambling options for September.
By Rommon
