Match Bingo has avoided punishment from the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) after the watchdog ruled one of the operator’s ads on a YouTube video did not appeal to children.
A Match Bingo ad was seen on the 442oons YouTube channel in May 2025, appearing at the start and end of an animated video.
The video featured players from Tottenham Hotspur singing a parody song based on the 1981 Chas & Dave version of ‘Glory Glory Tottenham Hotspur’ after the club won the Europa League in May of that year.
The first ad featured an animated presenter stating: “Spurs win the Europa League, sponsored by Match Bingo – where football meets the thrill of bingo.”
A phone, the word “WIN”, a football and a bingo card were shown, alongside the Match Bingo logo during the segment.
The second ad also featured the animated presenter as they explained how Match Bingo worked. Both ad sections featured GambleAware prompts and 18+ notices.
The complainant alleged that the animated video of Premier League footballers would appeal to children, and subsequently challenged if the ad was targeted appropriately.
The Match Bingo POV
In its response to the ASA, Match Bingo said it had reviewed the video before publication and deemed it was not of “not of particular or strong appeal to under-18s”.
Match Bingo said 442oons had provided data showing more than 91% of its audience was 18 or older, and all content on the channel was marked as “not made for kids” to ensure the YouTube algorithm did not push videos at children.
ASA noted that 442oons endorsed Match Bingo’s comments and stance.
While Match Bingo acknowledged that the animation “could carry a higher risk of inherent appeal to children”, it argued the content itself would not appeal to under-18s.
“Match Bingo believed the humour in the video was subtle, satirical and focused largely on the politics and personalities of football management and ownership, themes they believed would not be readily accessible or engaging to children or young people,” the ruling noted.
In ASA’s decision, the watchdog said that while Premier League footballers are inherently appealing to under-18s, the setting of the video meant it was likely to be less appealing.
ASA added: “The song was satirical in nature and focused on interactions between players, managers, owners and pundits rather than on gameplay.
“We considered that those aspects of football were less likely to be of interest to a younger audience.
“We therefore considered that the themes and style of the song were not aimed at children to the extent that the ad was directed at under-18s by its inclusion around the song.”
The body also noted that 6.5% of those who watched the video were under 18, and the “not for kids tag” further limited its reach among young people.
In turn, the ASA said the ad did not breach the CAP Code, and that no additional action was to be taken.
ASA has upheld complaints about ads from several operators in recent weeks after issuing updated guidance on the definition of ‘strong appeal’ to under-18s.
Sky Bet, kwiff and Betway were all sanctioned in the same week last month, while the watchdog ruled against Midnite in September.
The post Match Bingo avoids ASA reprimand over Spurs-linked YouTube parody first appeared on EGR Intel.
Football bingo operator’s ad placement deemed not to be appealing to under-18s by the advertising watchdog
The post Match Bingo avoids ASA reprimand over Spurs-linked YouTube parody first appeared on EGR Intel.