Guwahati: The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a warning to print, electronic, and digital media outlets not to advertise online betting sites.

The warning comes after a number of adverts for online betting websites/platforms appeared in print, electronic, social, and online media.

Betting and gambling, which are outlawed in most regions of the nation, pose a substantial financial and socioeconomic danger to customers, particularly teenagers and children, according to the advise. It has also been stated that these adverts on internet betting promote this most forbidden practice.

"The advertising for online betting is deceptive, and does not appear to be in strict compliance with the Consumer Protection Act 2019, Advertising Code under the Cable Television Networks Regulation Act, 1995, and advertisement standards under the Norms of Journalistic Conduct handed down by the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978," it says.

The warning was published in the public interest, and it recommended print and electronic media not to run ads for online betting services. It has also directed internet and social media platforms, as well as online advertisement middlemen and publishers, not to broadcast such commercials in India or target such advertisements to an Indian audience.

On December 4, 2020, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to Private Satellite TV channels to follow the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) guidelines on online gaming advertisements, which included specific Do's and Don'ts for print and audio-visual online gaming advertisements.