Broadcasting Ministry issues advisory for print and electronic media to refrain from publishing advertisements of online betting platforms owing to significant financial and socio-economic risks for consumers
Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued an advisory for print, electronic and digital media to refrain from advertising online betting platforms. This advisory is issued in light of advertisements of online betting platforms appearing on various platforms. Betting and gambling are illegal in most parts of our country and poses a serious financial and socio-economic risk for the consumers it is in public interest to curb the instances of such advertisements of online betting websites / platforms appearing in print, electronic, social and online media. Further, advertisements of online betting are misleading, and are not in strict conformity with the Consumer Protection Act 2019, Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and advertisement guidelines under the Norms of Journalistic Conduct laid down by the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978.
Earlier, on 4th December 2020, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting had issued an advisory to Private Satellite TV channels to adhere to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) guidelines on advertisements of online gaming which contained specific Do’s and Dont’s for print and audio-visual advertisements of online gaming (detailed in trail).
Source: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting
