Indian Organizations Partner to Fight Illegal Gambling Adverts
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has formalized an agreement with major organizations in the online gaming industry to address the growing issue of illegal offshore betting and gambling advertisements.
LISTEN TO THIS ARTICLE:This collaboration officially came into effect on January 2, 2025, and it includes partnerships with the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF).
Founded in 1985, ASCI is dedicated to maintaining ethical advertising through self-regulation, ensuring consumer protection and compliance with advertising standards. It works closely with government agencies to promote responsible marketing practices across media platforms.
Related: The Immense Opportunities and Challenges of the Indian Gambling Market
MoU Creates Specialized Monitoring Cell
The newly signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishes a specialized monitoring cell tasked with identifying and reporting unauthorized offshore betting and gambling advertisements to appropriate government authorities. The cell will also look at real-money gaming (RMG) ads for potential breaches of ASCI guidelines with the aim of strengthening compliance within the industry while exposing illicit promotions.
Since the MoU’s activation, ASCI has flagged 413 offshore betting advertisements to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting and reviewed 12 RMG ads for possible violations. In comparison, between April 2023 and March 2024, the council had flagged 1,336 ads, prompting stricter regulations and even actions against several platforms.
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Celebrity Endorsement of Offshore Betting companies
Indian laws prohibit gambling and offshore betting, making advertisements for such activities illegal. However, online RMG, which involves skill-based play, is generally permitted in most states and it is allowed to advertise it under legal frameworks. Still, some offshore operators falsely portray themselves as legitimate gaming platforms, underscoring the importance of vigilant oversight.
Indian consumers are exposed to numerous ads from offshore betting companies that lack accountability. Several Indian celebrities have also been featured in these advertisements. Given that gambling ads are prohibited in many parts of the country, their prevalence violates the law. ASCI aims to bring these issues to the attention of regulators for necessary action.
Industry leaders also gave their support for ethical advertising. Neil Castelino, CEO of FIFS, spoke of the importance of the partnership in preventing Indian players from being misled, while Anuraag Saxena, CEO of the E-Gaming Federation, said that Indian players have “suffered at the hands of unscrupulous operators for years.”
Echoing these sentiments, Roland Landers, CEO of AIGF, spoke of the federation’s commitment to responsible gaming and called the MoU an important step towards protecting consumers and encouraging ethical advertising.
RELATED TOPICS: Responsible Gambling
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