UK Watchdog Bans Five Ads Over Deceptive Claims

The UK's Advertising Standards Authority has taken action against five advertisements for social casino games, deeming them deceptive. The ads, which appeared on TikTok, were found to be misleading as they did not clearly state that players could not win or withdraw real money. The ASA investigated ads from several companies, including Gamehaus, Huuuge Global, and SpinX, after receiving intelligence that suggested they were not complying with advertising standards. The regulator stated that these rulings are part of a broader effort to tackle paid-for ads that resemble gambling. The ASA made it clear that ads should not create the false impression that players can win real-world prizes when this is not possible. One of the companies, Mobee Co, was referred to the Committee of Advertising Practice's compliance team for further action. All of the ads in question have been removed and are not permitted to be published again in their current form. TikTok has also imposed restrictions on the advertising of social casino games on its platform, including a ban on content that implies users can earn real money or makes direct comparisons to gambling.