I&B ministry warns media against advertising online betting platforms

The Information and Broadcasting Ministry asked print, electronic and digital media to refrain from advertising on online betting platforms. Betting and gambling are illegal in "most parts" of the country and it poses a significant financial and socio-economic risk for consumers.

The ministry said an advisory is issued in the larger public interest because of a significant number of advertisements of online betting websites/platforms appearing in print, electronic, social, and online media.

"The advertisements of online betting are misleading. They do not appear to be in strict conformity with the Consumer Protection Act, 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," said the statement.

A similar advisory was issued on December 4, 2020, to the private satellite TV channels to adhere to the Advertising Standards Council of India guidelines on advertisements of online gaming that contained specific dos and don'ts for the print and audio-visual advertisements of online gaming.

There are no federal laws against online betting in India, but each state is free to impose laws on the activity. However, the Public Gambling Act of 1867 is a central law that prohibits running or being in charge of a public gambling house.