The Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) on March 21, 2024, issued an Advisory on Celebrity/Influencer Endorsements and Advertisements, including Surrogate Advertisements, of Offshore Online Betting/Gambling Platforms.
The following has been stated:
• It has stated the significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth, it has strongly advised all endorsers and influencers on social media to refrain from showing such promotional content/advertisements, including surrogate advertisements, of offshore online betting and gambling platforms in any form whatsoever. While the online advertisement intermediaries are advised not to target such content towards the Indian audience, the social media intermediaries are advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content.
• It has cautioned that failure to comply with the above may lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, removal/disabling of social media posts/accounts where such promotional content/advertisements/endorsements are being published, and penal action under the applicable statutes.
[Notification No DM/15/2022-DM]
