The government has initiated a crackdown on “disguised” advertisements promoting illegal betting and gambling apps that violate guidelines set down by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).
The Indian consumer affairs ministry has declared these advertisements to be not just in breach of the CCPA guidelines, but also the Public Gambling Act of 1867.
The ministry has contacted the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology in regards to pinpointing offenders and enforcing legal measures, such as applying penalties and prohibiting the functioning of betting and gambling applications.
The Public Gambling Act of 1867 makes betting and gambling illegal in most regions of India. Online gambling websites persist in promoting their offerings, sparking worries about financial and socio-economic consequences, particularly within the younger population.
The latest action follows a March 6th CCPA advisory warning against all forms of advertising, promoting, or endorsing illegal activities like betting and gambling.
The problem has become particularly acute in the last two months due to a rise in betting app usage linked to the ongoing IPL and Lok Sabha elections.
The advisory also mentions efforts by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting to caution media platforms and online advertising intermediaries against promoting betting and gambling platforms in India.
“The Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, categorically prohibit advertisements of products or services prohibited under any prevailing law,” the advisory had stated.
It reiterated that the guidelines apply to all advertisements, irrespective of the medium used and warns celebrities and influencers that any engagement in the promotion or advertisement of online gambling and betting, given its unlawful status, renders one equally liable for participating in an illegal activity.
“Through this advisory, CCPA cautions that any advertisement or endorsement of activities which are otherwise prohibited by law, including but not limited to betting or gambling, shall be subject to rigorous scrutiny. If any violation of the guidelines is found, stringent measures, as per the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, will be initiated against those involved, including manufacturers, advertisers, publishers, intermediaries, social media platforms, endorsers, and any other relevant stakeholders,” the advisory added.
