The Indian Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory note recommending an outright ban on advertisements that promote online betting.
Government requests that all ads are withdrawn immediately
In its statement, the ministry cited ‘financial and socio-economic risk for consumers’ as the main factors for the recommendation. The ministry has since requested that all print, electronic and digital media publishers cease advertising online betting platforms with immediate effect.
The advisory comes following a rise in the number of advertisements for online betting websites and platforms in recent months.
The advisory note states
India's Government Bans Ads Promoting Online Gambling Platforms India's Government Bans Ads Promoting Online Gambling Platforms“Betting and gambling, illegal in most parts of the country, pose significant financial and socio-economic risk for the consumers, especially youth and children.”
In December of 2020, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had previously issued an advisory to privately-owned satellite TV channels informing them that they must comply with the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) guidelines on advertisements for online gaming.
Based in London, Natasha is a former sports journalist with experience working for some of the biggest athletes & brands in the world of sports and iGaming.