Kwiff rapped by the ASA over TV advert

For the second consecutive week, online sports betting app Kwiff, was caught up in the rulings from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

Two elements of the advert caused complaints, however only one of which led to a complaint being upheld.

The upheld complaint was with regards to the voice-over in the ad, which stated: “What does getting Kwiffed feel like? It feels like the end of a school day. The teacher says no homework tonight. But there was one thing I need you all to do. I need you to pop all these bubbles for me. Do you think you could do that?” The ad then showed the men’s reactions, who were excited in a childlike manner by the idea of popping bubble wrap. The ad then featured scenes of the men popping bubble wrap with great enjoyment.

The ASA cited that it considered popping bubble wrap was mostly enjoyed by young children and therefore concluded that the scenes showing the men popping bubble wrap depicted juvenile behaviour, which was prohibited in gambling ads under the BCAP Code.

On the other hand, the ASA dismissed the complaint that the ad was of particular appeal to minors, stating that although the ad was set in a classroom, it did not resemble a modern classroom.

It meant that following on from last week’s warning where the ASA told Kwiff to be careful with regards to advertising misleading odds in its adverts, this week the ASA told Kwiff to cease using the advert in question in its current form and warned them against displaying ads that feature juvenile behaviour.

The ASA also dismissed a complaint over a previously modified advert placed by Paddy Power, which , featured a jaded casino security guard singing to the tune of “Papa Loves Mambo” while watching through monitors the casino customers gambling.

With regards to this complaint, the ASA deemed the ad did not portray, condone or encourage gambling behaviour that was socially irresponsible, or portray gambling as indispensable or as taking priority in life over other commitments.