PokerStars Ad Banned for Implying Gambling Makes a Person Confident

The world's largest online poker room has been busted by the Advertising Standards Authority out of Great Britain.

PokerStars.com has been criticised by the advertising watchdog for implying that gambling could make a person more confident and courageous, according to the Guardian newspaper.

A PokerStars.com poster campaign ran with the headline "play mind games" and featured world poker champion Daniel Negreanu holding an ice hockey stick with the line "Poker is a sport of courage, conviction and confidence".

Under the advertising code, ads are not allowed to link gambling with sexual success, an improved self-image or appeal to children or young people.

In the past a number of online gambling firms have been cited by the ATS for failing to comply with its strict advertising standards.

Last Spring, the ATS busted Ireland's largest online bookmaker, Paddy Power, for featuring dwarfs in sexually compromising acts.

The Paddy Power ad claimed online betting would improve sexual prowess and self esteem. It featured a dwarf in a limousine flanked by two beautiful women, smoking a cigar and holding up a champagne glass.

A strapline accompanying the advert said: "Who says you can't make money being short?"

An Interacasino advert was cited that same day for featuring little people engaging in "Jackass" type stunts, including rolling down hills in dice outfits and sliding down bell-ropes dressed as fruit-machine cherries.

That ad was determined to be geared towards young children.

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Christopher Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher