Centre Asks News Websites, TV Channels To Refrain From Carrying Advertisements Of Betting Sites

The Center has warned online news outlets, TV networks, and OTT platforms to stop airing advertisements for online betting sites. Gambling is unlawful activity, according to the government, and adverts for it are not permitted to be displayed on Indian digital news platforms.

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting noticed that betting platform adverts and promotional content are still present on some OTT and news platforms.

In a warning to digital media platforms, the ministry stated, "It has also come to this Ministry's attention that some online offshore betting companies have started exploiting news websites as a surrogate product to advertise betting platforms on digital media."

According to the Ministry, online advertising middlemen are also urged against targeting such advertisements toward Indian consumers.

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"It has been observed that since betting and gambling are illegal, advertisements of online offshore betting and gambling platforms are prohibited. In this regard, it may be noted that by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules 2021, advertisements of betting platforms, being an illegal activity, can not be shown on digital media," said the Ministry.

It should be noted that the logos of the concerned news websites are eerily similar to the betting platform when it comes to the marketing of the substitute news websites run by online betting platforms.

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