The Ghana Gaming Commission has issued a directive to betting companies to avoid using celebrities for their activities.
In a statement from the Commission, the companies have been ordered to stop using celebrities as ambassadors.
Per the new guideline, it is prohibited for people with huge social media following to be engaged with the aim of encouraging people to bet.
“Operators shall not use celebrities in their advertisements to entice the general public to gamble.
“To ensure the new guideline is followed all advertisement must be approved by the commission to help protect not only underage persons but the interests of punters, customers and stakeholders,” excerpts of the statement read.
Check out the full statement below:
GAMING COMMISSION OF GHANA – GUIDELINES ON ADVERTISEMENT
BACKGROUND
The Gaming Commission of Ghana under its supervisory mandate drawn from Section 3 (2) (g) of the Gaming Act, 2006 (Act 721) has developed guidelines on advertising for operators of games of chance.
PURPOSE
The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure that advertisements by operators are conducted in a responsible manner devoid of promises of any predetermined outcomes, appeals/enticements to Gamble to the vulnerable in society as well as minimise exposure to minors where applicable. This document will act as a guide to operators in all their advertising/advertisements.
SCOPE
This document covers all forms of advertisements by operators including print and electronic.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
i. Advertisements must be vetted and approved by the Commission and the operator(s) must be in good standing
ii. Advertisements must acknowledge the Gaming Commission of Ghana as the Regulator.
iii. Approval for the running of the advertisement shall be valid for the duration of the permit. The Commission has the right to revoke the advertising permit if:
a. it contains inaccurate information;
b. it contains misleading information;
c. it fails to acknowledge the Gaming Commission as the regulator;
d. changes are made to the advertisements without notification to the Commission;
e. it negatively affects public interest and sensibilities;
f. it does not depict responsible gaming and appeals to minors;
g. in any other circumstance that the Commission deems as inappropriate.
iv. It must not be misleading and all claims must be substantiated.
v. Must be devoid of inappropriate contents against competitors.
vi. Operator(s) advertisements shall not create the impression to their customers of guaranteed outcomes/wins.
vii. Operators shall not use celebrities in their advertisements to entice the general public to gamble.
viii. The Commission in protecting the interests of punters, customers and stakeholders, mandates that advertisements must contain warnings like “Gamble Responsibly”, “Only 18 Years+”, “Gambling is Addictive” etc. and any other warnings that may be prescribed by the Commission.”
