Paddy Power’s Oscar Pistorius “Money Back If He Walks” received by far the most complaints ever in Britain, Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said on Friday.

In a list published by the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), the media and advertising watchdog revealed that the Paddy Power advert had received 5,525 complaints, roughly three times more than the next highest offender.

The advert for Irish betting company Paddy Power appeared during Pistorius’ trial for murder last year. ASA demanded the operator to remove it immediately.

The ASA linked the record year of complaints to the rise of social media – and the outrageous retweets and shares that often accompany it.

“2014 was the year social media came into its own in making it easier than ever to lodge complaints en masse. While some ads will inevitably split opinion, as the diverse nature of complaints we received shows, last year underlined the importance of our work in cracking down on misleading ads, including copycat websites, that are simply unfair to consumers,” said ASA Chief Executive Guy Parker.

However, Paddy Power spokesman said to eGaming Review that the company made the right decision to take bets on the Oscar Pistorius murder trial and would do it again in the future.

“We went into Pistorius with our eyes wide open and fully aware that it might stir controversy. However, as the biggest news story on the planet and as the main topic of discussion around water coolers, we wouldn’t be true to ourselves had we not taken bets on it,” the company spokesperson said. “In hindsight, the feeling is that it was the right decision and we would 100% do it again.”