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BOOKIES PADDY POWER have been told not to run an ad which promised money back if a horse finished second again.
The ad, which featured in the Racing Post newspaper, promised punters their money back as a free bet if their horse finished second during the Ascot Festival.
However, a footnote said that this offer did not include shop bets.
A complainant said that the large print used in the ad was not consistent with the smaller lettering in the footnote.
He placed his bet in a Paddy Power shop and, on producing his docket to claim his free bet when his horse finished second, was informed that the offer had excluded shop bets.
He said in reality this exclusion had been included in tiny print in the bottom left hand corner of the advertisement, but given the size of the main message contained within the advertisement, he had not been drawn to read it.
He considered that such important information should have been given more prominence within the main copy of the advertisement as it had contradicted the main headline offer.
Paddy Power response
Paddy Power in their response to the Advertising Standards Authority for Ireland (ASAI) said that the footnote clarified the offer, not confused it.
The advertisers said that while they regretted the fact that the complainant considered they had been misled, they did not consider that they had breached the requirements of the (advertising) code.
In their conclusions, the ASAI found that while the footnote was easily legible, it was not linked by an asterisk in the headline.
It found the ad had breached the advertising code and told Paddy Power the ad should not appear in the same form again.
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Yet Eir can advertise as big as they like €30 a month for a whole year, then in tiny tiny writing at the bottom of the ad tell you it’s €90 for the second year of your two contract. Basically a 60 euro a month over two years but fiddled to make it more attractive. They should be done for it if anyone.
Eircom shoukd be done for having the worst ‘customer service” in the world aswell. Joined them. In October, set up direct debit, received postal confirmation yet they charged me twice for nom payment of my bill. Rang them and was told there was no record of any direct debit to which I replied why was I being charged a referral fee? They set up another one and guess what.. Same issue. Nobody wrote any notes on the account either so I was being made out to be a liar. Luckily I have the letter as proof. I actually think they don’t train their staff. Biggest joke I’ve ever dealt with. Other than that their sound.
# they’re
Conor. Anything goes today especially when it comes to money and the greed of these companies. Wait till we get the news about TTIP then we will really know what greed is.
No point complaining about Eir here. You should lodge a complaint to the ASAI and see if it is upheld.
Couldn’t agree more conor… I think that eir advert is one of the most disgraceful misleading adverts I’ve ever seen. To say it’s only 30 euro a month when in reality it’s anything but over the full term of the contract, is nothing but an attempt to trap foolish consumers.
And then what – they’re a fcuking joke!
I’m of the opinion that if somebody is foolish enough to sign anything for a two year contract without reading up on it, then they pretty much deserve it. Society has become so lazy. More money than sense.
Back in the day I did complain to the asai about Vodafone advertising ‘unlimited’ broadband with a 5gb limit. The ASAI did not agree with my contention that if there is a clearly defined download limit it should not be advertised as unlimited. I gave up on the ASAI after that.
Paddy Power really think they can get away with anything. From controversial advertising to destroying lives. Nothing but bad press lately. Disgusting.
Yep, no need for personal responsibility…..its Paddy Power’s fault….
Why don’t people act like adults?
Of course there is a huge element of personal responsibility but the gambling industry has enjoyed a free reign to do whatever they want in a unregulated industry in this country for years. You can’t turn on the TV without gambling ads, specials this and money back and cash out this. 24 hour gambling and they open huge shops in disadvantaged areas to target the weak especially in times of recession. Look at the case they were done for in the UK last week in which Paddy Power said they just though the guy was a “hood regular”. The guy had blown a couple of hundred grand on a fixed odds betting machine in one of their shops!Wheres the gamble aware and all these responsible practices Paddy Power and other bookies advertise shown to be practiced? The legislation that was drawn up 3 years ago to do with gambling needs to be addressed. I can’t buy alcohol at 5am but I can gamble 24hours a day on line no problem… Load of shite
# good regular!
You can buy alcohol 24/7 online too.
My point was that gambling is instantly available if you have the money fund it. Will the online alcohol seller deliver instantly? I don’t think so.
But Eoin you are still not answering my point about personal responsibility? If I cant afford to go out and buy a new car, I dont do it just because there are ads which offer me cars on finance.
You are forgetting the responsibility for people to live within their means. Just like the article about students last night, its not Paddy Power’s fault some student bet their rent money on Cheltenham instead of paying for their digs.
If people cant behave responsibly, that is not the fault of the seller, its the fault of the buyer.
Gambling is a tax on people who are no good at maths !
@john S my first line of my last post agreed with you. I do also think there’s not enough regulation, there not enough done about awareness just like there are for alcohol, cigarettes etc. Not everyone is born with the realisation that if I do this alot I’m going to ruin my life. People in disadvantaged areas with less education than anyone else aren’t afforded that awareness and are targeted by bookmaking firms. Look at any town in Ireland a bit less off than or even not in some case and you’ll see big bookies next to pubs and in some case 3 or 4. Gambling is painted as an option to make a bit of cash and when people are desperate, especially when in a recession it looks attractive and the blanket marketing supports that. There should be more done and more awareness created. That’s my point.
“Money back” my arse, you don’t get your money back. You get a free bet to the same value, but the stake is never refunded . So either way he’s keeping the cash you place in the beginning.
Yes but if you back a winner with your free 5er bet at 12/1 you will get you 60 quid back.
You should only bet on 12/1 winners so.
That’s the only story you’ll read where the normal joe takes on the bookie !!!!!!! And Wins
The silent scourge of society
I hate the Paddy Power tagline ” You`re welcome”
Welcome for what , destroying lives and families
Paddy Power are highly successful in parting people from their money and in promoting gambling addiction.
Very true Mr Power there is scams every where just some people cant see them
Paddy power and co got there arses spanked by us punters last week at Cheltenham,I’m still withdrawing the cash ….as paddy power ad goes “thanks paddy power your welcome”
What about the old saying ‘always read the small print’?
Paddy Power should give payback pints like James Brown u gotta pay it baaaaaaak
If it isn’t the Boyle sports cheerleaders naked right now take my fiver
My aguaro finished close goalscorer
Oh for the complaints
If you are willing to gamble then u are willing to let me sleep with ur wife
have your say