Ladbrokes holds hands up to "irresponsible" email

Ladbrokes has been reprimanded by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) over an “irresponsible” email campaign featuring Manchester United player Memphis Depay.

The advertising watchdog said the email, which featured an image of 21-year-old Depay, was irresponsible because he was under the age of 25 and therefore breached its Code.

The email showed Depay sitting on a football pitch with text that stated: “Money back offer. Don’t miss out! Bet now”.

In its response, Ladbrokes acknowledged the Code required images of under 25-year-olds to only be used in an ad where the individual is the subject of the bet offer and appear where the bet is placed.

The operator said the use of Depay’s image in the context of an email was “not acceptable” and to avoid a repeat of the issue had reminded its marketing team of their obligations under the Code.

The ASA said it welcomed Ladbrokes’ “willingness to comply” with the Code in future advertising, but ruled the email ad in question was “irresponsible” and said it must not run again in its current form.

Today’s ruling comes just weeks after bet365, Coral and Totesport all had their knuckles wrapped over social media posts featuring pro golfer Jordan Spieth, who is also under the age of 25.