BGC Welcomes Gambling Ads Opt Out on Snapchat

The Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) has issued a statement welcoming a new feature added to the social media platform Snapchat that enables users to opt out of gambling-related advertising.

The BGC and Snap have been working closely over the past year and with this move, Snap hopes to give consumers more control over the advertisements they see.

This is in addition to Snap meeting requirements under the updated Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising, which was released last year.

Under the code, BGC members must ensure that all social media ads must be targeted at consumers aged 25 and over unless the website or platform proves they can be precisely targeted at over-18s.

BGC chief executive Michael Dugher said: “This is yet more evidence of our commitment to raising standards in the regulated industry.

“I welcome this move by Snapchat and I would urge all social media and search platforms to provide the ability for users to opt out of viewing betting adverts.

“The regulated betting and gaming industry is determined to promote safer gambling, unlike the unsafe and growing online black market, which has none of the safeguards which are commonplace among BGC members.”

Snap UK General Manager Ed Couchman said: “It has always been important to us that our community is able to influence the types of adverts they see on Snapchat.

“It’s fantastic to roll this change out and we’re grateful to have partners in the BGC who are doing vital work to ensure this industry continues to grow and evolve with consumers at the heart.”