Sports Law

Recent Articles

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  04.08.2023

  United Kingdom

  From Jake Paul to Premier League Managers: the Twitter ads that appeal to young people

  The Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”) was relatively active in the gambling industry in July, with two new rulings published in respect of the gambling advertising rules that came into force last year.On 1 October 2022, a new gambling advertising rule was introduced (a summary of which can be read here) which strengthened the obligations on gambling operators to ensure the content of their ads is not appealing to under 18s, especially by reflecting or being associated with youth culture. At the time, questions were raised as to what a “strong appeal” really means,...

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  04.08.2023

  United Kingdom

  Loot boxes: 11 new principles for an industry-led approach

  The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (“DCMS”) has welcomed guidance published by the games industry trade body, UK Interactive Entertainment (“Ukie”), that is set to implement industry-led protections for loot boxes.From gambling regulation to industry-led guidanceThe randomised nature of loot boxes has long prompted questions in the UK as to whether they should be regulated as gambling products. In 2019 the DCMS published its Report on Immersive and Addictive Technologies in which it concluded that the sale and purchase of loot boxes should be considered...

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  20.06.2023

  United Kingdom

  Not upheld – Boxer Chris Eubank Jr. considered to be sufficiently adult-oriented

  ASA Ruling on Hillside (UK Sports) ENC t/a bet365In the latest example of the new strong appeal rules in action, on 14 June 2023 the Advertising Standards Authority (the “ASA”) issued a ruling which was not upheld  concerning a promoted tweet for Hillside (UK Sports) ENC (trading as bet365) (“bet365”). The ad in question was found not to be in breach of the UK Code of Non-broadcast Advertising (“CAP Code”) rules related to gambling when challenged by the ASA as to whether the ad included an individual likely to be of strong appeal to those under 18. The...

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  27.04.2023

  United Kingdom

  Upheld: The strong appeal of “star” footballers

  On 19 April 2023, the Advertising Standards Authority (“ASA”) issued a ruling against BetVictor for featuring two professional footballers deemed to have a strong appeal to under-18s in a paid-for Facebook ad. This ruling is the second to be upheld in respect of the new gambling advertising rules which came into force in October 2022, which strengthened obligations on gambling operators to ensure the content of their ads is not appealing to under 18s. This adds to the ASA’s rulings in respect of football players (following ads for Paddy Power and SkyBet which were not upheld earlier...

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  05.04.2023

  United Kingdom

  Part 7 of our 7-part series on the draft Media Bill – listed events regime revisions and a blow for Leveson

  In this article, as part seven of our seven-part series, we will cover:changes to the listed events regime, which are set out in Part 1 of the draft Media Bill; andPart 7 of the draft Media Bill, which: (i) repeals section 40 of the Crime and Courts Act 2013 (“Section 40”); (ii) makes several amendments related to the UK’s withdrawal from the EU; and (iii) sets out the general provisions of the draft Media Bill. Listed events regime revisionsThe current regulatory framework (as set out in the Broadcasting Act 1996) gives the Secretary of State the power to draw up a list...

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  16.12.2022

  EU, UK

  European Super League suffers damaging blow in latest round of legal challenge

  The proposed European Super League (ESL) needs little introduction – when announced in April 2021, the plans to launch a breakaway league involving some of Europe’s biggest clubs received a severe bashing in the court of public opinion, with impassioned reactions across society, from fans to national governments. The project has now reached the highest European court, following a referral from the Spanish courts in an action brought on competition law grounds by the promotors of the project against UEFA and FIFA, in light of the response of football’s governing bodies to the plans....

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