ASA delivers two cautions related to AG Communications.
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has taken down an ad campaign for online casino Karamba.com, deeming it illegal. AG Communications, a Swedish affiliate agency linked to the campaign, has received a warning.
The ASA started looking into Karamba.com's ad after receiving public complaints in May. They focused on the casino's advertisement for the slot game Starburst, which ran through AG Communications' affiliate program.
The investigation revealed that AG Communications had shared winning strategies for Starburst misleadingly. On a webpage titled "Tips and Tricks on How to Win at Starburst," it claimed:
"How can you really play this high payout slot to your advantage and maximize your winnings? Can you influence your luck while playing? Read on to discover the best tips and tricks for winning the Starburst video slot."
In the "Starburst Strategy" section, it said that five tips had been set up to win Starburst. It claimed that these tips could influence luck scientifically:
"If things don't go your way, try to change the game cycle by switching between the spin and bet max buttons. The payout rate remains the same, but you can trigger more bonus features. The most important thing, however, is: Playing outside of peak times could bring you higher winnings. Avoid the crowds and you could earn yourself some extra money!"
The ad also linked to a site explaining how to choose a winning slot machine. The ASA's most recent press release stopped these ads immediately and stated they couldn't be used again.
Leading to harm
The ASA criticized both AG Communications and Karamba.com for breaching the British CAP Code twice. The Code forbids advertising misleading information and promoting socially irresponsible content. The ASA warned that such ads could lead to negative consequences, like financial, social, or emotional harm.
If there's evidence that certain playing strategies increase a Starburst customer's chance of winning, it must be presented.
AG Communications claimed they made a mistake during the ad's uploading process. Since Karamba.com has comparatively low web traffic, the ad slipped under the radar during compliance monitoring. Usually, compliance is ensured through annual training.
Karamba.com removed the controversial ads and promised to investigate the matter further. They plan on conducting several training sessions on the approval process for their staff. Whether these sessions will involve AG Communications isn't clear. After this marketing fiasco and double ASA warning, it's better to avoid collaboration.
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Source: www.onlinecasinosdeutschland.com
