Pizza Hut slammed over ‘dangerous’ gambling ads

Pizza Hut has come under fire for ‘recklessly’ encouraging its customers to gamble.

The promotion with Free Spins Loops, which has now ended, told those who submitted online orders that they had “unlocked up to 300 free spins at your favourite casino”, adding: “No deposit required! Claim your spins today!”

The business Digital Adventures, which is connected to the advert, claimed that an external network with “built-in 18+ age protection capabilities” was responsible for placing the advert on Pizza Hut’s website.

‘Staggering’

Annie Ashton, whose husband committed suicide following a gambling relapse, said: “The recklessness of this Pizza Hut promotion is staggering – offering hundreds of free spins on highly addictive casino games while not knowing if those people may be in recovery from an addiction is not just careless, it’s dangerous.

“Free spins can quickly lead to addiction to anyone spinning so many times. Pizza Hut need to end this promotion as soon as possible before any lives are lost.”

Former Conservative Party leader Sir Iain Duncan Smith MP added: “This is yet further evidence of how out of control gambling advertising has become. It’s not even possible to order a pizza without online casino products being pushed on to people.”

Online slots

Last month, the Government announced that it will place stake limits on highly-addictive online slots, which are associated with “large losses, long sessions, and binge play”.

These will be set at £2 per spin for adults under 25 and £5 per spin for those aged over 25. This reflects evidence which shows that young adults can be particularly vulnerable to gambling related harm.

In addition, all firms who hold a Gambling Commission licence will be required to fund industry research, prevention and treatment for those experiencing gambling-related harm. The new statutory levy is expected to generate £100 million, half of which will go directly to the NHS.

Also see:

From 50p bet to £250k in gambling losses

125,000 tell PM to kick gambling adverts out of football

Betting companies ‘out of control’ as youth problem gambling doubles

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