Change in advertising policy at Google welcomed.
Google's decision to allow gambling operators to advertise their services on its websites has been welcomed by the Remote Gambling Association (RGA).Brian Wright, business director at the RGA, said the search engine company's move was an "encouraging step" for the gaming industry, which has sometimes had a difficult relationship with the advertising authorities.
The Advertising Standards Authority recently shocked members of the industry by banning a television campaign from Ladbrokes, despite receiving just one official complaint over the adverts.
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However, Mr Wright said that Google's new policy, which allows companies that are registered with the Gambling Commission to display advertising material targeted at the UK, could prompt a change in attitudes.
"Certainly it's something that we'd bring up with the ASA and say: 'Look, in terms of advertising, Google have relaxed their stance on this because they see it as no immediate danger and there's no negative publicity to go with it'," he explained.
ASA ruled that the Ladbrokes adverts, which promoted the firm's online casino with daredevil characters, were guilty of "portraying gambling in a context of toughness and linking it to recklessness".
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