PointsBet, a leading sportsbook, has debuted a new ad spot as part of its ‘Do It Live’ campaign to celebrate the start of the 2022 NFL season. The 30-second advert is called ‘Sanctuary’ and will demonstrate the capabilities of the PointsBet app in the context of a relatable morning wake-up routine.
There has been a delay in the release of ‘Sanctuary,’ as the initial cut of the ad was deemed too edgy for release, and probably will never see the light of day on a broadcast network.
PointsBet prides the promo on its lack of gimmicks, as it dispenses with the usual tropes of sports-betting advertising and highlights the quality of the PointsBet experience, by capturing moments it hopes will be realistic and relatable to viewers.
PointsBet Director of Brand Josh Powell commented: “When thinking through how to bring to life our ‘Do It Live’ campaign, we wanted to place an increased emphasis on the fact that betting is done in the most casual settings, like while on the toilet.
"We view the bathroom as the ultimate sanctuary where plenty of people leave the world behind, get out their phones, and use the PointsBet app. While our original creative vision was a bit out of the box for broadcast, at the end of the day, whether you want to admit it or not, loads of us have enjoyed the thrill of a cash-out while being king – or queen – of the porcelain."
The original ‘too hot for TV’ advert can still be viewed on PointsBet’s YouTube channel, social platforms and the PointsBet app.
The approved ad will air across NBC's local and regional networks, including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Washington DC. Digital ads will be available across NBC properties in key markets and additional ads will be rolled out in the coming months to accompany this initial spot.
