Paddy Power’s ‘singing security guard’ ad gets banned
ASA tells operator to ditch latest TV short after ad displays gambling in the workplace
Paddy Power’s latest TV advert has been banned by the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) because it featured gambling in the workplace.
The widely-viewed advert was first broadcast in August 2017 and shows a casino security guard singing to the tune of “Papa Loves Mambo” while watching casino customers gambling on CCTV.
The guard then turns away from the monitors and is seen gambling on the Paddy Power app on his mobile phone.
Two complainants challenged whether the ad was socially irresponsible because it implied it was acceptable to gamble in the workplace.
Paddy Power argued the campaign was not in breach of the BCAP Code because casinos are licensed gambling premises, and so it is not socially irresponsible to advertise a gambling product in a casino.
The ASA acknowledged the exception in the code but ruled the ad must not appear again in its current form.
“The character was shown turning away from his workstation, without leaving his working environment or being relieved of his professional responsibilities by another colleague,” said the ASA.
“The ad therefore portrayed gambling behaviour that was socially irresponsible.”
The number of gambling adverts being banned by the ASA has slowed down in recent months, after the watchdog’s chief executive claimed operators had “learned their lesson”.