The United Kingdom’s advertising regulatory body, the Advertising Standards Authority, recently addressed a BetMGM advertisement featuring comedian Chris Rock. The commercial, which debuted on October 4th, 2023, showcases Rock in a sequence of polished segments, including one where he rotates a globe on his finger. The slogan? “We’re BetMGM, and we understand entertainment.”
Certain individuals expressed concerns, apprehensive that Rock’s appearance might be overly enticing for individuals below the age of 18, potentially violating advertising regulations established to safeguard minors.
BetMGM responded directly with a comprehensive justification for their choice to make Rock the representative of their brand.
Their rationale? Rock’s professional trajectory has primarily centered around stand-up comedy and roles in films intended for mature audiences. They contended that this signifies he is not particularly appealing to adolescents.
Furthermore, they emphasized that while Rock has contributed his voice to animated films such as “Madagascar,” any connection to those types of family-oriented roles is distant and currently insignificant.
Additionally, BetMGM even mentioned Rock’s social media presence, observing that the overwhelming majority of his followers are adults, with a minuscule proportion under 18.
Lastly, they underscored the advertisement’s overall ambiance – the visuals, the Las Vegas allusions – asserting that it all conveys a “mature” message and would not inappropriately sway young minds.
The UKs advertising watchdog reviewed grievances regarding a promotion starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. Concerns arose about the advertisement’s potential allure to young audiences due to his filmography, which includes family-friendly titles. However, the ASA countered, stating that his previous roles were not current or pertinent enough to warrant apprehension. They concluded that the advertisement did not violate any regulations and subsequently rejected the objections.