Criticism has been leveled at the deal that The Masked Singer competition and U.K. online gambling operator PlayOJO has recently announced.
The report in the Daily Star new source has revealed the company responsible for the production Bandicoot has signed an arrangement that will launch a number of digital games with themes related to the popular Masked Singer show. Choices that include scratch cards, bingo and casino style slot games will be made available to consumers in order to win the maximum prize of £200,000.
It is obvious why the deal has sparked such criticism with many of the Masked Singer’s viewers are those who are under aged. The lucrative games made available are also being made popular on Instagram on which an estimated 2 million participants are of the young demographic.
Matt Zarb-Cousin a representative of the Clean Up Gambling organisation commented on the situation saying that the deal came as an example of a gambling company using a popular television show popular with young people. The Masked Singer is not the only show that has offerings from gambling websites and apps. Some gambling operators also offer wagering on Britain’s Got Talent and Saturday Night Takeaway.
Zarb-Cousing was also critical of regulators and suggested that Bandicoot should reconsider its decision to create a link between The Masked Singer brand and games that are considered harmful for some vulnerable players. However, the critics did not shake Bandicoot’s decision to go ahead with the planned agreement. Bandicoot also explained that its agreement with PlayOJO is in line with the strict industry standards and complies with the gambling laws in the United Kingdom.
Marc Etches, head of the UK gambling charity group GambleAware also said that such deals could make gambling look normal to children, especially when it comes to the promotion of gambling by well-known family entertainment programmes.
Bandicoot confirmed that the games would be available only for adults over the age of 18 and the firm has made sure it has all the required safeguarding measures are in place in order to protect its customers. PlayOJO has confirmed that players are required to verify their age before being allowed to make a wager.
