by Anton Johan
The Advertising Standards Authority has ordered Betfred to remove one of its ads in its current form because it is misleading to the public.
The ad features Betfred founder, Fred Done stating: "I'll give you great odds and fantastic bonuses. Why? It's my fun and I love it. I'll even match your first bet up to £50. Watch my lips, a free bet up to £50, if you sign up today."
A member of the public made a complaint to the advertising watchdog group, claiming that the ad was misleading because it did not stress the condition that the bet had to have odds of evens or greater.
Betfred argued back that the on-screen text clearly stated that terms and conditions applied, and that it was standard in the gambling industry for free bets to have these kinds of odds.
The group said that customers were obliged to agree with their terms and conditions before opening an account with Betfred.
In addition, Betfred - as well as a vast number of other sports betting groups - had this condition in place in order to prevent players from taking advantage of the offer by placing bets with short odds.
In response to Betfred's counter arguments, ASA admitted that these terms and conditions were common in the world of betting and that Betfred had included a 'terms and conditions' text.
But the group also said that the condition that odds be evens or greater was important enough to warrant being clearly included in the ad, as it influenced whether players took advantage of the offer of not.
As such, Betfred was ordered to remove the ad in its current form.
