# Are best betting app lists paid for by the bookmakers?

> Claim check: are best betting app lists paid for by bookmakers? What ASA and consumer law require, how to tell an ad from a review and how this site discloses.

Source: https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/are-best-betting-app-lists-paid-for/
Updated: 2026-11-07

A betting-app list can earn its publisher a commission when you register. Irish rules expect that to be shown. The ASA Code bars presenting an advertisement as an editorial review, and consumer law treats undisclosed paid placement as a prohibited practice. This page shows how to tell an ad from a review and how this site discloses its own links and ordering.

## Short answer

- **Can lists be paid for?** Yes, through commission or placement. That is lawful only if it is shown clearly.
- **Can you tell?** Yes, by a label, a disclosure near the top and a stated order method. See the checklist below.
- **This site:** earns commission on links marked "Ad", takes no payment for position and sets rankings by AppScore v1.

**In short:** payment is not the problem; hiding it is.

## What the rules require

**Rules on paid content and paid ranking. Source: ASA Code; ASA influencer guidance 2023; Consumer Protection Act 2007 s.55(1)(qa); CCPC; E-Commerce Regulations 2003 · checked 7 November 2026**

| Rule | What it covers | Status |
|---|---|---|
| ASA Code 3.31-3.32 | Advertising must not be presented as an editorial review | Checked on 6 November 2026 |
| ASA Code 4.32-4.33 | Cited in our research; text not summarised here | Not checked |
| ASA influencer guidance 2023 | The label "Ad" goes first in the block, visibly, and not behind a "see more" | Checked on 6 November 2026 |
| Consumer Protection Act 2007, s.55(1)(qa) | Search results shown without clear disclosure of paid placement are a prohibited practice. In force since 29 November 2022. Whether it applies to a static page: with the lawyer | Checked on 6 November 2026 |
| CCPC guidance | Paid reviews must not be passed off as unbiased | Checked on 6 November 2026 |
| E-Commerce Regulations 2003, reg 8 | A commercial message and the party behind it must be clearly identified | Checked on 6 November 2026 |

**In short:** Irish rules ask for disclosure, not for a ban on paid lists.

## Telling an ad from a review

1. **Label:** is "Ad" the first word of each paid block?
2. **Disclosure:** does the page say it earns commission before the first link?
3. **Order:** does it state how it ranks, and is that method published?
4. **Criteria:** is "best" tied to a criterion and a date?
5. **Operators:** are non-partners treated the same way?

**In short:** five questions, answered from the page itself.

## What the top of search results shows

**Disclosure in the top third of 20 result pages. Source: Search results survey for the key (planned) · checked 7 November 2026**

| Measure | Result |
|---|---|
| Pages surveyed | Not checked |
| Pages with disclosure visible in the top third | Not checked |

The survey is part of the research plan and has not been run. We give no count.

**In short:** no count until the survey is run.

## How this site discloses

- The top strip on every page reads "Contains affiliate links (Ad)".
- Each partner block opens with "Ad · 18+ · T&Cs apply". This page has none.
- Ranking order follows AppScore v1; ties go alphabetical. Commission does not set it.
- Position cannot be bought. See the [editorial policy](https://beforeyouinstall.com/editorial-policy/) and [how we earn](https://beforeyouinstall.com/how-we-earn/).
- An operator with no programme is included the same way, without a link.
- We publish no bonus amounts or promo codes.

**In short:** which disclosure wording applies waits on the owner's written confirmation.

## How we checked

Read, as summarised in our research of 6 November 2026: ASA Code 3.31-3.32, ASA influencer guidance 2023, Consumer Protection Act 2007, Consumer Rights Act 2022 s.157, CCPC guidance and E-Commerce Regulations reg 8.

Not read: ASA Code 4.32-4.33. Not run: the results survey.

## What changed

7 November 2026: first version of this page.

## Caveats

Whether s.55(1)(qa) covers a static ranking page is open and is for the owner's lawyer. ASA reach over a site hosted outside Ireland is also open.

**18+ only.** Free 24/7 support: 1800 936 725 · gamblingcare.ie. More on [responsible gambling](https://beforeyouinstall.com/responsible-gambling/).

## Related questions

- [How we earn money](https://beforeyouinstall.com/how-we-earn/)
- [Our editorial policy](https://beforeyouinstall.com/editorial-policy/)
- [How we check betting apps](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/how-we-check-betting-apps/)
- [The best betting apps for Irish customers](https://beforeyouinstall.com/guides/best-betting-apps-ireland/)