The I&B Ministry recommends the media not to run commercials encouraging online gambling

on Jun 14, 2022

'Betting and gambling, which are banned in most parts of the country, represent substantial financial and socioeconomic danger to consumers, particularly young and children,' according to the Ministry.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has urged the print, electronic, and digital media not to run advertisements for online betting services.

Online and social media platforms, as well as online advertisement intermediates and publishers, have been instructed not to display or target such adverts in India.

"Betting and gambling, which are banned in most parts of the nation, represent substantial financial and socioeconomic danger to consumers, particularly adolescents and children," the Ministry stated, adding that such promotions had the impact of promoting a mainly outlawed activity.

"The advertisements for online betting are deceptive and do not appear to be in strict compliance with the Consumer Protection Act, the Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, and advertisement norms under the Norms of Journalistic Conduct laid down by the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act," it said.

On December 4, 2020, the Ministry issued a recommendation to private satellite TV channels to follow the Advertising Standards Council of India standards on online gaming commercials, which included specific dos and don'ts for print and audio-visual online gaming advertisements.