Irish online gambling company Flutter Entertainment has reportedly announced that its sports betting domain PaddyPower.com has canceled its sponsorship deal with national broadcaster Raidio Teilifis Eireann (RTE).
According to a report published Monday by the Irish Independent newspaper, as well as reports posted on casino uden om rofus, the site, licensed in Malta and Britain, paid a six-figure sum earlier this year to be able to advertise its services during every international soccer match broadcast by the state broadcaster. That eight-game agreement allegedly included a provision for the PaddyPower.com logo to appear next to the on-screen clock and live scoreboard schedule during the 2022 FIFA World Cup qualifying matches featuring Stephen Kenney's national team.
Fresh focus:
However, Flutter Entertainment of London reportedly "entered into" this agreement in anticipation of new Irish Bookmakers Association rules that will implement a ban on all iGaming advertising during live sports matches "from whistle to whistle." starting Jan. 1. The newspaper explained that the ban also applies to five-minute blocks before and after the game, in addition to halftime commercials at halftime and other forms of marketing, such as LED scoreboards on the field.
Submissive Care:
However, Flutter Entertainment said it is not upset by the Irish Bookmakers Association's new rules and as a company supports the coming ban on iGaming advertising "from whistle to whistle." Formerly known as Paddy Power Betfair until a name change in early 2020, the Dublin-headquartered operator allegedly said it has "already taken a market lead on this intervention" and is exploring whether its Take a Break: Safer Gambling ad campaign violates new marketing rules.
Flutter Entertainment reportedly said in a statement the following.
"We have decided to voluntarily implement a pre-Euro 2020 advertising ban that applied to all commercials aired on RTE in the interim. We have also decided to use all existing slots available to us before and after the match to exclusively promote our Take a Break: Safe Gambling tool during Ireland's final four matches in the 2022 Men's World Cup qualifying tournament."
Silent Position:
For its part, RTE, which regularly broadcasts national soccer competitions as well as various Gaelic soccer, boxing, rugby, horse racing, hurling and golf events, reportedly declined to comment publicly on the move by Flutter Entertainment and its PaddyPower.com domain, citing trade secrecy.
Outstanding Operator:
The Irish Independent newspaper reported that William Hill is the only prominent bookmaker in Ireland that has yet to agree to comply with the Irish Bookmakers Association's new advertising rules. This stubbornness has allegedly prompted the country's Minister of State in the Ministry of Justice, James Brown, to urge the outlaw bookmaker to reconsider his complacency and agree to accept the upcoming whistle-blowing policy regarding marketing.
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