Over 3,000 Betting Promotions Flagged as Digital Platforms See Surge in Non-Compliant Content
India’s advertising watchdog, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), has released its annual report for 2024–25, highlighting a dramatic rise in offshore gambling and betting promotions, which dominated complaint volumes for the period.
According to The Hindu, 43.52% of all flagged ads—over 3,000 out of 7,078 reviewed—were tied to offshore gambling and betting operators, many of which are blacklisted by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY). This marks a 135% year-on-year surge, with 3,081 ads flagged compared to 1,311 the previous year.
ASCI confirmed that these advertisements were escalated to regulatory authorities for further legal action, as they promote gambling platforms operating outside Indian jurisdiction, in violation of existing laws.
Rise in Unverified Health Claims and Alcohol Promotions
Beyond gambling, ASCI reported 233 violations of the Drugs and Magic Remedies (Objectionable Advertisements) Act, 1954, mostly involving unsubstantiated health benefits, “miracle cures,” and dubious medical claims.
Social media also saw 21 alcohol-related ads reported to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, reflecting a concerning trend of alcohol promotions being disguised as lifestyle content.
Influencer Marketing Still Struggles with Transparency
Another recurring issue flagged in the report is the widespread non-compliance among influencers. Out of 1,015 influencer ads reviewed, 69% failed to meet disclosure requirements. Many disclosures were either missing, vaguely worded, or hidden in long hashtags—undermining the principle of informed consumer choice.
Only 29% of influencer posts met ASCI’s disclosure norms, with five influencers forced to comply after jury recommendations, and another five escalated to the Ministry due to repeated violations.
Notably, violations were most frequent in the fashion and lifestyle sector (27.5%), followed by telecom (21.7%) and personal care products (13%).
Industry Surveillance and Enforcement Grow Sharper
The ASCI report noted that the monitoring of gambling advertisements has improved significantly, thanks in part to a dedicated surveillance unit launched by stakeholders in the real money gaming industry in January 2025. This unit contributed directly to the increased detection and reporting of illegal gambling content.
ASCI continues to call for stricter enforcement and greater platform accountability, especially as digital advertising expands into less-regulated spaces.
