UK ad watchdog reverses ban on Ladbrokes’ Iron Man promo

UK bookmakers Ladbrokes have somehow convinced the country’s advertising watchdog that they goofed by banning an Iron Man-themed promo last year.

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has issued a ruling overturning its August 24, 2016 ruling that upheld a complaint about a Ladbrokes email to customers in May of that year. The email featured an image of Marvel comics’ Iron Man character and a welcome offer of free spins at Lads’ casino site.

The ASA originally found that Ladbrokes has breached the CAP Code requirement that gambling ads not be designed to be of particular appeal to kids, especially by incorporating popular youth culture themes.

Ladbrokes protested that Facebook demographics indicated that just 6.4% of the Marvel brand’s fan base was under 18 years of age. Furthermore, Lads’ promo was sent only to registered customers or consumers who’d been validated as having achieved the age of majority.