ASA Creates Avatars To Detect Ads Targeted At Children

The UK’s regulatory Body, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have created online Avatars to monitor adds that my target or be visible to children online.

Updated: 26 January 2024 By Becky Mosley

The UK’s regulatory Body, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) have created online Avatars to monitor adds that my target or be visible to children online.

Child Browsing Avatars

A Data and Analytics Company have created avatars, which imitate child-browsing history online. Three Avatars have been created to reflect varying age groups, 6 to 7, 8 to 12 and 16. Another has been designed to imitate adults browsing history.The test was carried out over a two week period back in 2018, child avatars were targeted a total of 10,745 times on 24 children’s internet sites, and non-age restricted YouTube Channels.Ads from 43 different gambling operators were visible on children’s websites with five operators breaking advertising rules targeted at children less than 18 years of age. PlayOJO, Redbet, Multilotto, Unibet and NetEnt’s Vikings Video Slot Game.

Rules Infringed

All operators that infringed the ASA rules all admitted fault, with third party marketing partners being blamed. Each company was told to make immediate changes to future advertising ads to not target minors in the future.The ASA are satisfied the new technology is the beginning of new a new phase of technology that will help enforce strict advertising rules to protect children from gambling related ads appearing on children’s websites.ASA chief executive Guy Parker said, “ Online ads are subject to the same strict rules that apply elsewhere and this important new monitoring capability delivers on our commitment to having more impact online”.

Becky Mosley
Editor-in-Chief at Compare Casino Sites

Rebecca (Becky) Mosley has been at the heart of the UK online gambling industry since 2008 — making her one of the most experienced voices in casino comparison. She is editor-in-chief at Compare Casino Sites and personally oversees every casino review published here.

Becky brings a genuine player-first perspective to everything on CCS. Her approach has always been the same: transparency, fair bonus terms, and responsible gambling above all else. She insists on the same standards from every operator listed on the site — if a casino's terms can't stand up to plain-English scrutiny, it doesn't earn a recommendation.

Over 17 years in the industry, Becky has built deep expertise across UK Gambling Commission licensing, slot game mechanics, bonus structures, and the constantly evolving regulatory landscape. She works directly with operators and software providers to keep every listing accurate, and reviews each casino's wagering requirements, withdrawal limits, and customer support before a single rating goes live.

Becky is a Companies House registered director.