Facebook Gambling Alert

If you are a user of Facebook, some of you (especially here in the UK) will have noticed recently that us FBrs are now having our timelines flooded with advertisements for gambling - slots, casinos and all sorts of gambling 'games' including 'online gambling' which encourages people to gamble at home.

These ads are often pretty and colourful  - one even has the name 'Candy Shop Slots' - and they could be very enticing. Many offer the first 'play' free and similar financial enducements....a very typical marketing ploy from the gambling companies wanting to lure in new players!

 

The Background
Last August, Facebook changed it's 'rules' on running gambling ads. It means that now FB accepts ads from gambling companies, for promotion of both 'offline' and 'online' gambling ie for casinos you can visit personally and for games you can play at home on your computer, presumably using your credit card and with little or no controls over the amount of time/money you spend! 

The most interesting thing to note is that some ads for online gambling are illegal in some parts of the world (eg USA) but here in the UK the gambling industry is free to advertise with seemingly little regulation. And the gambling companies are already being actively encouraged to target those of us unfortunate to be in their sights, as you'll see if you get to the end of this article!

The advertisement are apparently only being put on the timelines of us 'adults' but parents may want to check from time to time that their kids are not receiving them and not being sucked into what can be a very dangerous and addictive 'habit'. This is a matter of child protection!

 

I am aware that organisations like FB need to make money, but this departure is just too cynical for words. Surely there has to be a more responsible way of maximising profits other than acting as agents for an (gambling) industry whose sole aim is to part people from their hard earned cash, an industry which relies on people developing and sustaining an addiction.  Facebook wouldn't be allowed to promote the sale of alcohol, cigarettes or drugs....but it is facilitating the growth of another very serious addiction. Gambling, we know, is usually viewed as a 'bit of fun' but unfortunately it can also lead to debt, family breakdown, crime and even suicide when people find that their gambling addiction is out of control! 

Blocking / Hiding / Reporting Facebook Gambling Ads

Facebook doesn't allow us to block ads from our FB timelines but we can hide them by clicking on the little x on the top right of the ads and then reporting them. I have been checking the 'Against my views' or Offensive' boxes. If I keep getting the ads, I might even tick the 'Sexually Explict' box just to see if that stops FB from posting these ads on my pages!

I have also reported the ads to Facebook explaining that I think FB's decision to allow gambling ads is very dodgy. To report ...go to the 'help' section (find that on the little wheel top right hand of your page). Put in the words 'report ads' in the search box and then click on 'how can I report an ad I see on Facebook'. Read the blurb and find the link to the report page and follow the instructions. Note of caution...it involves taking a screenshot of your FB page showing the gambling ads you want to report!

 

Just pawns in a game
If you are still unconvinced about the whole FB Gambling issue and the dangers therein, you might like to check out the following website:

Facebook Changes Policies On Gambling Advertisements | Casino Affiliate Programs

What you will see on this site is advice to the gambling industry itself on how they can take advantage of the new relaxed Facebook rules.  You might like to check out what they think about us FBrs...we are ideal 'target customers' and FB is a great way for them to market their casinos, bingo, slots and paid for games! They obviously see Facebook as a partner and they undoubtedly think we're suckers!

Excerpt from Casino Affiliates Programs:
'More people spend their time on Facebook than any other website in the world. Facebook can help casinos target their ads to their demographic. Their audience tends to have an income of about $50,000 a year, have at least some college education and live in the north central part of the country. Don’t you want to get the attention of your target customers? Facebook ads could be the best marketing strategy available to you....

This decision will only affect you if you intend to target gamblers outside the US or countries where Facebook will allow ads.'

 

Facebook is a fantastic and trusted social medium, helping family and friends stay in touch and bringing people together across the miles. It started out with such great intentions but unfortunately it appears to be losing its way. It's a shame. It's a real shame!

Comments

[SickofFB]

Thanks for the info. I've only really noticed in the last couple of days a real push by FB on gambling ads. Yesterday I got at least 3 in my newsfeed and countless more on the side of my page. No sooner did I hide all for a particular add 2 more would crop up. I think instead of taking notice they are taking the hide all interaction as a sign that the adverts are being noticed, so pushing them even more. Also would it be possible to delete the spam comments on your page? It would be a shame for your valuable advice to be undermined by spammers.