PremiumAsia Cup 2023: Centre issues warning against gambling ads ahead of the tournament
The ministry had also issued similar advisories at least on three earlier occasions - in June and October last year and in April this year.
Last Updated: 11.02 PM, Aug 25, 2023
In anticipation of major sporting spectacles like the Asia Cup and the World Cup cricket tournaments, the Union government issued a stern caution to media entities on Friday, admonishing them against the dissemination or exhibition of advertisements from online betting platforms. Non-compliance with this directive would result in legal repercussions.
Through a guidance memorandum sent to newspapers, television channels, digital media, and social media platforms, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has urged an immediate cessation of the broadcast of advertisements or promotional content related to betting and gambling platforms in any format. Failure to comply with this directive would compel the government to initiate suitable actions under the purview of diverse statutes.
The advisory highlighted an upsurge in the volume of gambling and betting advertisements particularly during significant sporting events, including cricket tournaments. The notification underscored the imminent commencement of a vital international sports event in a matter of days, alluding to the Asia Cup cricket tournament scheduled to commence on August 30 in Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
"It may be noted that advertisements of gambling/betting platforms not only pose a significant financial and socio-economic risk for consumers, especially the youth and children but have linkages to money laundering networks, thereby threatening the financial security of the country," the advisory said.
The ministry had also issued similar advisories at least on three earlier occasions - in June and October last year and in April this year.
"These advisories have stated that betting and gambling was an illegal activity and hence advertisements/promotion of such activities directly or indirectly on any of the media platforms falls foul of the various statutes, including under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, the Press Council Act 1978, etc," according to an official statement.