The warning has been released before of both the ICC World Cup 2023, which will be held in India, and the Asia Cup cricket tournament, which is set to begin at the end of this month.
On Friday, the information and broadcasting ministry (I&B) sent out a new warning to media outlets, ad intermediaries, and social media platforms, warning them to “immediately” stop running any advertisements or promotional content related to gambling or betting in any way, or else “adequate legal action will be taken.”
According to government officials with knowledge of the matter, if this advise is not heeded, the Indian government may take the appropriate legal action.
After seeing an increase in the promotion of betting and gambling sites during cricket matches and other big sporting events, the Centre issued a warning to media outlets and social media platforms.
In a few days, one such important worldwide event will begin. “It is also observed that there is a tendency to spike promotion of such betting and gambling platforms during a major sporting event, especially cricket,” the advice stated.
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The ICC World Cup 2023, which will be held in India, and the Asia Cup cricket competition, which will get underway at the end of this month, have both already received the warning.
According to the I&B ministry’s warning, which HT has seen, it was issued in response to the central government’s action against a network of agents who had amassed substantial sums of money from gaming customers. It claimed that these marketing for betting and gaming sites offer serious financial and socioeconomic risks.
According to the ministry, there are a number of unlawful activities taking place, and there is a significant possibility that black money is being utilised to fund these adverts.
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“It has also been stated that this method has connections to money-laundering networks, endangering the nation’s financial security…… It is very possible that black money is also utilised to purchase these adverts in addition to these illicit activities. To this purpose, the Ministry has observed that some media institutions, such as advertising intermediaries and social media platforms, have been allowing direct and indirect ads of betting and gambling platforms during significant athletic events, such as cricket championships,” the advise stated.
According to the Public Gambling Act of 1867, it is unlawful to engage in any form of gambling that involves the act of placing money, wagering for money, or any other comparable conduct.
Betting and gambling are unlawful activities, hence any direct or indirect promotion of these activities on media platforms violates a number of laws, including the Press Council Act of 1978 and the Consumer Protection Act of 2019.
Operating or managing public gaming establishments is forbidden by the Public Gambling Act, a Central statute. A $200 fine or up to three months in jail could be imposed for any infraction of the law under this legislation.
