New ASCI guidelines on online betting ads: A welcome move for Indian gaming industry?

June 17, 2022 India Crime & Legal Industry Updates

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), under the aegis of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, has been on a reform streak. Its latest advisory, released earlier this week, against ads promoting online betting websites/platforms in print, electronic and digital media is the latest instance of the administration’s efforts to check the significant financial and socio-economic risks it poses to the consumers of India.

The move has been welcomed by the Indian gaming sector, which is expected to become a US $5 billion (approx. Rs 3,90,000 crore) industry by 2025 and is easily outpacing other forms of media and entertainment.

Jay Sayta, a Technology and Gaming Lawyer, explains, “The advisory issued by the I&B Ministry is targeted towards foreign online gambling and betting websites and their surrogates that were blatantly advertising through print, electronic and digital media illegally in contravention of state and central laws. The advisory merely clarifies the legal position that print, electronic and social media should refrain from advertising online gambling/betting websites.”