The Indian government is seeking to discourage online gambling ads. The country’s Ministry of Information and Broadcasting recently published a statement that was released to the media, whereby it demanded that all print and electronic media “refrain” from publishing ads for online gambling operators and their platforms.
The assistant director of the Ministry, Kshitij Aggarwal noted that since online gambling is banned in most areas in the country, it stood to reason that the ads for online gambling platforms across the country should be banned. His reasoning is that there shouldn’t be marketing where a product that is prohibited in most of the country is promoted.
“In light of the above and having regard to the larger public interest involved, the print and electronic media is advised to refrain from publishing advertisements of online betting platforms,” reads the statement.
“The online and social media, including the online advertisement intermediaries and publishers, are advised not to display such advertisements in India or target such advertisements towards the Indian audience.”
Reference was also made to the fact that online gambling may have a detrimental effect on vulnerable parts of the population, such as young people and children, and said that this was one of the reasons why it was demanding a blanket ban on igaming advertising.