Published on: December 10, 2024, 04:17h.
Last updated on: December 10, 2024, 04:17h.
Pizza Hut faces criticism in the UK for including complimentary online casino spins with its home deliveries.
During a short timeframe last month, customers who placed online orders at the eatery received a message congratulating them on “unlocking” up to 300 free spins through an online casino promotions company, Free Spins Loops.
“No deposit required! Claim your spins today!” it stated.
The issue was brought to light by a user named Ben Jones, also known as “@ExGambler4Life,” who pointed out the lack of age verification or consideration for gambling addiction history, particularly in a country where the legal gambling age is 18.
Jones, a former gambling addict who was incarcerated for stealing £370,000 (US$472,000) from his employer in 2019 due to his gambling problem, was understandably upset by the promotion following a pizza purchase.
Concerns Raised About Pizza Hut’s Marketing Strategy
The promotion was part of a business agreement between Pizza Hut and Free Spins Loops, a company under Digital Adventures, as reported by The Guardian.
A representative from Digital Adventures mentioned to the UK publication that the promotion was active on the Pizza Hut platform for a brief period before being taken down on November 28, following Jones’ discovery.
The spokesperson did not specify whether Pizza Hut would receive a portion of the losses incurred by customers who engaged in the promotion.
They attributed the appearance of the promo to third-party advertising networks and assured that individuals under the legal gambling age would not have been exposed to the advertisement, as the placements are controlled by an external programmatic network with age protection measures in place.
Public Figures Express Concerns
Former Conservative Party chairman Iain Duncan Smith MP, who leads a bipartisan parliamentary group addressing gambling harm, emphasized the need for stricter regulations on gambling advertising in light of this incident.
This is further evidence of the excessive presence of gambling advertising. Even ordering a pizza has become an avenue for promoting online casino products,” he stated on the X platform.
In addition to the UK, Pizza Hut has marketing collaborations with gambling companies in the US, specifically in states where such activities are legally permitted. Some customers shared their surprise at being presented with unwanted promotional offers for BetMGM or FanDuel after completing a pizza order.
One of the promotions stated: “You have earned a first-bet offer of up to $1,000. Playoff action is heating up, and BetMGM is ready for you. Sign up and play today.”