In the light of repetitive betting platform ads appearing in print, electronic, social, and online media, the IB Ministry summoned these outlets to abstain from promoting such ads on Monday. Further, the Information and Broadcasting Ministry said that betting and gambling are illegal in many regions of India. According to the government body, they pose substantial economic stakes for consumers.
The IB Ministry mentioned that they issued the advisory in the public interest of the Indian audience. They also said that betting platforms drive the audience towards a predominantly prohibited activity. In the advisory, the IB Ministry has referred to the ads as misleading and against the accord with the Consumer Protection Act 2019, Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and advertisement norms under the Norms of Journalistic Conduct laid down by the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978.
The IB Ministry also claims to have sent a notice to private satellite TV channels on December 4, 2020. In the advisory, the IB ministry asked the channels to heed ASCI advertisements guidelines. The Advertising Standards Council of India contains the Do’s and Don’t for broadcasting online gaming ads. Additionally, these guidelines that came into effect on December 15, 2020, stipulate that no gaming ad would depict any minor person using the application.
The gaming platform ads should not portray as an income option, a better career opportunity, or a better lifestyle provider. It should also entail the disclaimer of financial risks and addiction in audio and video format. In addition, it must be at a regular pace and in the same language as the advertisement.
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