I&B Ministry’s Warning: Crackdown on Betting Ads to Safeguard Indian Youth
In a resolute move aimed at safeguarding the interests of the Indian populace, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a stern advisory to all stakeholders, including media entities, online advertising intermediaries, and social media platforms.
This advisory, dated August 25, 2023, unequivocally directs these entities to abstain from disseminating advertisements or promotional content related to betting and gambling, whether directly or indirectly. Failure to comply with this advisory may trigger legal action by the Government of India, invoking various statutes.
The Ministry’s proactive stance stems from recent actions taken by the Central Government against a network of agents involved in the collection of substantial sums from users of gambling apps. These funds were subsequently channeled out of India, underlining the profound financial and socio-economic risks associated with advertisements of gambling and betting platforms. Of particular concern is the vulnerability of India’s youth and children to these advertisements, which not only have links to money laundering networks but also pose a grave threat to the nation’s financial security.
The advisory highlights the high likelihood of black money being funneled into these advertisements, raising a red flag against certain media entities, advertisement intermediaries, and social media platforms that have allowed the promotion of betting and gambling during major sporting events, notably cricket tournaments. Moreover, the Ministry has noticed a surge in the promotion of such platforms during significant sporting events, with an impending international cricket event just days away.
To counter this alarming trend, the Ministry has issued stern warnings to media platforms, cautioning them against amplifying betting and gambling advertisements. Online advertising intermediaries have also been instructed not to target such advertisements toward the Indian audience. The Ministry underscores the illegality of betting and gambling and asserts that promoting these activities directly or indirectly on any media platform violates various statutes, including the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, and the Press Council Act, 1978, among others.
Furthermore, recent amendments to Rule 3 (1) (b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, emphasize the responsibility of intermediaries to ensure that no content in the nature of an online game that lacks verification as a permissible online game, or that serves as an advertisement or surrogate advertisement for an impermissible online game, is hosted or shared on their platforms.
In conclusion, the Ministry’s advisory serves as a vital call to action to protect the youth and the financial integrity of the country. It underscores the government’s commitment to curbing the proliferation of harmful betting and gambling advertisements, especially during major sporting events. To access the full advisory, along with previously issued notices, kindly visit the following link: I&B Ministry Advisory dated August 25, 2023.
