BGC welcome Facebook's new ad opt-out feature
Users can now opt-out of betting adverts on Facebook
Facebook is the biggest social media site in the world and they have been working closely with the Betting and Gaming Council (BGC) to come up with better tools to help those who may not want to see betting and gambling ads. This move comes just weeks after Safer Gambling Week 2021.
They have come up with a new feature that gives players the chance to opt-out of the vast majority of betting adverts on their platform instead of hiding adverts or adjusting their ad preferences.
Facebook follows in Snapchat's footsteps
Back in July 2021, Snapchat made a similar move that was lauded by the BGC. Ed Couchman, the general manager at Snap UK, said “It has always been important to us that our community is able to influence the types of adverts they see on Snapchat,” said Ed Couchman, General Manager of Snap UK.”
This change in social media advertising comes after the updated Industry Code for Social Responsible Advertising from last year which means all BGC members “must ensure that all social media ads must be targeted at consumers aged 25 and over unless the website proves they can be precisely targeted at over-18s.”
BGC urges all social media to follow suit
“This is yet more evidence of our commitment to raising standards in the regulated industry,” said BGC chief executive Michael Dugher. “I welcome this move by Facebook and I would urge all social media and search platforms to provide the ability for users to opt-out of viewing betting adverts.”
He added: “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.”