Health Lottery ad Banned By UK Advertising Standards Authority

Thursday November 27,2014 :  ASA SANCTIONS HEALTH LOTTERY AD

Deemed to encourage or condone gambling behaviour that could lead to harm

The UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned an advert for the Health Lottery.

The ad, which appeared on the Demand 5 video-on-demand service, promoted an online direct debit offer for the Health Lottery whereby consumers could have their first two weeks play "free", as a refund from the advertiser, if they signed up online and paid for their tickets monthly.

A voice-over during the ad said, "That's right, we'll pay for up to 40 lines played each draw, giving you an incredible £160 money back on us. And you'll never miss another draw again. The Health Lottery. You can only win it if you buy a ticket." Large text in the middle of the screen that corresponded with the voice-over stated "UP TO 40 LINES" and "UP TO £160 ON US".

A single complainant challenged whether the ad condoned or encouraged gambling behaviour that was socially irresponsible or could lead to financial harm to which the ASA agreed, ruling the ad could not appear again in its current form.