The UK’s top standards body for gambling reported that it has been working closely with the social media giant over the past year, and is pleased to see this latest development.

In the past weeks and months, Facebook has come under fire for its alleged ad targeting of under-18s, and until recently, Facebook users who wanted to avoid viewing gambling-related ads would have to hide individual adverts or adjust their ad preferences.

But now, people can more easily opt out altogether of betting ads, with Facebook following on from a similar move by rival platform Snapchat in July 2021.

“This is yet more evidence of our commitment to raising standards in the regulated industry. I welcome this move by Facebook, and I would urge all social media and search platforms to provide the ability for users to opt out of viewing betting adverts,” remarked BGC Chief Exec Michael Dugher.

“The regulated betting and gaming industry is determined to promote safer gambling, unlike the unsafe and growing online black market, which has none of the safeguards which are commonplace among BGC members.”

In addition to Facebook’s move, the BGC has also sought to strengthen its Industry Code for Socially Responsible Advertising.

Under the amended Code, members must now ensure that all social media ads are clearly targeted at consumers aged 25 and over — unless the website proves they can be precisely targeted at over-18s.