Coral Interactive sanctioned over slots promo

The issue of slot machine themes that may appeal to children was front and centre again this week in the latest Advertising Standards Authority ruling which supported three complaints against Coral Interactive regarding promotions of slots like Rainbow Riches, Fishin’ Frenzy and Lucky Wizard.

The themes on the games depict animated leprechauns, swimming fish and wizards, all of which are likely to appeal to children, the complainants claimed.

The Authority went into some detail in reaching its conclusions, rejecting much of Coral’s argument that the graphics were not particularly cartoonish, were not based on well-known characters from any particular production or presentation, and were not generally unsuitable.

That detailed inspection included closely examining facial features of the animated characters and analysing the depictions of fish to assess that they were shown in “a cute child-like manner.”

The ASA’s much tougher position on game themes that may appeal to minors is certainly making life more difficult for game designers, but the Authority has repeatedly warned that it will not hesitate to come down hard on any contraventions of the broad policy…and a slew of recent adverse rulings against operators reinforces the point.

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