Last updated on December 13th, 2024
The new industry regulator of Ireland, the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI), has partnered with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in a bid to help simplify the process for complaints related to gambling advertisements.
This partnership, which was announced on December 11, will see the GRAI and the ASA work closely on handling gambling advertisement complaints in Ireland, and it will cover all forms of gambling adverts including both online and broadcast channels.
As part of the agreement, the ASA will tasked to handle general complaints related to gambling adverts, just as it does in the United Kingdom, while the GRAI will tackle complaints and queries related to licensees.
From here, both ASA and the GRAI commented on the partnership and said that this collaboration will ensure that the gambling ads content in Ireland complies with the Advertising Standards Authority Code, and both organizations agreed to meet quarterly to share data, discuss trends, and review activity.
Irish citizens who have gambling advertising concerns can file a complaint with the ASA via its reporting system in two ways.
The first channel is to anonymously report an ad by filling out an online form and submitting feedback underlining their concerns. Once complete, the ASA will review the report and decide whether it will proceed with a formal investigation.
The second way includes filing a formal complaint with the ASA, and this can be two-fold. The first complaint can be filled in reference to the content of an ad that appears in any media channels (both online and broadcasting), and the second in regard to how the promotion was carried out.
Anne-Maria Caulfield, CEO designate at the GRAI, commented on this collaboration and said that partnering with ASA means more control of gambling regulation and better chances to protect citizens in Ireland from aggressive gambling ads.
By working with the ASA, as the GRAI’s powers are commenced, we will aim to address any concerns raised by the public about advertising in and surrounding gambling promptly and effectively, in line with the ASA’s code. Our partnership reiterates our commitment to safeguarding the public. It will ensure they are informed and protected by upholding the highest standards of marketing communications.
Similar to this sentiment, Orla Twomey, Chief Executive Officer at ASA, welcomed the link-up and underlined the “shared commitment” of both entities to protecting Irish consumers, and vowed to ensure that the public gets easy access to information regarding responsible gambling advertising.
The aim of the ASA is to ensure that advertisements are legal, decent, honest and truthful for consumers. This partnership underscores our shared commitment to protecting consumers. By joining forces, we will remain dedicated to ensuring that the public can easily access information on responsible gambling advertising.
