888 Escapes Sanction Over YouTube Poker Ads

Betting group 888 has escaped a sanction from the UK Advertising Standards Authority after two YouTube videos from creator Calfreezy had generated complaints.

Two people issued complaints on the videos, claiming that they were targeting viewers under 18 and had a particular appeal to children. The videos in question were: "I was Youtubers [sic] Taxi driver for 24 hours" and "$10,000 YouTuber poker challenge", which had 90-second ads for 888poker in each.

Calfreezy was able to show his channel had a very small percentage of his audience comprised of children, and YouTube analytics said that each video had children viewer percentages of 7.5% and 6%, respectively. Also, 888 had control of the ad and indicated that the poker product was not for those under 18 and also included responsible gaming logos.

The ASA concurred with 888 and Calfreezy's information and said that the videos did not violate the UK's advertising standards. Of note, the regulator said that the videos lacked "significant appeal to children".

Explaining the decision the ASA wrote: "While the video was humorous in tone, we concluded that the concept of pretending to be a taxi driver and having conversations, while playing the taxi driver role, with other YouTube personalities would not have particular appeal to children or young people."

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