UK ad watchdog delivers double whammy to Coral

Betting shop Coral has found itself in deep trouble over “misleading” free bet deals that ran during Euro 2016.

Back in June, the gambling company sent out an email promoting free £10 bets on the outcome of Euro 2016 matches, but only if the bets were placed after 8 p.m. “on the day before the nominated game until kick-off.” A pop-up ad, which ran on Coral Interactive’s website on June 15, similarly promoted the free £10 bets.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), however, ruled that the promotions did not make the conditions “sufficiently clear,” even though the timing restriction appeared in the terms of conditions of both promotions.

Coral admitted that “it was an error not to include that information in the main body the ads,” but stressed that the promotion was advertised “in advance of it going live.”