Andy van der Meijde doesn’t think it’s fair that he had to stop all gambling commercials, while fellow celebrities like Caroline Tensen can continue to appear in lottery commercials. “Weird.”
There were media that described him as a ‘gambling figurehead’: Andy van der Meijde. The former ‘King Toto’ later advertised for competitor BetCity, but nowadays celebrities are no longer allowed to appear in commercials of gambling companies. But why are fellow stars like Caroline Tensen allowed to advertise for the Postcode Lottery?
Andy attacks Caroline
As Andy passes through the Story When asked whether it is not strange that ‘Caroline Tensen, Leontine Ruiters and Martijn Krabbé, among others, are allowed to act as ambassadors for lotteries’, the former football player answers bluntly: “Yes. Celebrities are not allowed to advertise for gambling websites, but they are allowed to advertise for the state.”
It’s just a double standard, says Andy. Then you should also take that snack away from Caroline, he thinks. “You buy a lottery ticket in the hope that you will be so lucky that you will get money. You’re betting on winning money. Our Veronica Offside program is sponsored by BetCity. But during the course of this year, that will no longer be allowed.”
Gaston critical
Gaston Starreveld, who shouts out prizes on behalf of the Postcode Lottery, disagrees with Andy. “No. There is an important distinction between (online) gambling and participating in a lottery. With the Postcode Lottery you buy a ticket and hear a month later whether you have won a prize.”
If Gaston has his way, Leontine, Martijn and Caroline will be spared by the gambling law. “A participant also supports 146 charities with their contribution. Very different from gambling companies, where there is a short time between bet and result. That is why different rules apply to gambling companies, especially with regard to advertising.”