Centre warns social media influencers against promoting offshore betting, gambling sites
PTC News Desk: The Centre issued an advisory, warning social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms.
According to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, such advertisements have substantial financial and socioeconomic implications for consumers, particularly young people.
“The ministry hereby strongly advises 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,” the advisory read.
The ministry also recommended online advertising intermediaries not to target such promotional content to Indian users.
“While the online advertisement intermediaries are advised not to target such content towards Indian audience, the social media intermediaries are advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content."
The ministry warned that failing to comply could result in proceedings under the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, including the removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts, as well as penal action under the appropriate statutes.
The ministry also reiterated the Central Consumer Protection Authority's (CCPA) recommendation from March 6, which voiced concerns about celebrity and influencer endorsements of betting or gambling sites.
Earlier this month, the CCPA issued a warning to all stakeholders that advertising of illegal activities such as betting and gambling would result in severe consequences.
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