ASCI Uncovers Massive Illegal Betting Ads on Indian Instagram
A recent investigation by the Advertising Standard Council of India (ASCI) has uncovered Instagram as the go-to platform for illegal operators to peddle their wares to unsuspecting Indians.
The report revealed that 831 of the 890 illegal ads were Instagram posts on fan and community pages.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:According to the ASCI, illegal offshore betting remains a top concern, as the 890 advertisements reported to the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) accounted for 29% of the 2,830 illegal adverts processed between April and September 2024.
The report revealed that 831 of the 890 illegal ads were Instagram posts on fan and community pages designed to redirect users to offshore betting sites via specific tags.
Furthermore, the ASCI identified 50 websites and social media pages, as well as nine influencers, that were actively promoting unauthorized online gambling platforms.
Following the ASCI’s intervention, backed by its collaborative efforts with the government, several offending pages were removed.
The ASCI also highlighted a significant reduction in its average complaint resolution time, from 30 days to 18 days, underscoring its commitment to addressing high-priority violations such as illegal gambling ads.
Our work in partnership with government regulators in sectors such as betting…is creating an impact. While there is a long way to go, such partnerships are able to create an impetus for better oversight. With constant progress in reducing our turn-around time for complaint management, ASCI’s deep experience and tech-supported efforts are evolving to provide better protection to the consumers of India.
More Regulation News
India Cracks Down on Online Gambling Influencers
Last month, the Indian government started issuing warnings and initiating legal action against those endorsing online betting sites.
The MIB issued advisories cautioning influencers against endorsing offshore gambling platforms, stating that it contravenes the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules of 2021. Influencers who disregard these warnings risk facing severe consequences, including hefty fines and potential jail sentences.
The government also called on social media platforms to strengthen their content moderation policies and identify and remove gambling-related advertisements.
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