Offshore betting ads dominate ASCI’s violation list in 2024–25

Offshore betting advertisements accounted for the highest number of violations processed by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) in its 2024–25 annual complaints report. According to ASCI, these ads made up 43 percent of the total cases examined, making the sector the most non-compliant among all categories.

The ad regulator noted a rise in the volume of ads promoting products that are prohibited by Indian law. After offshore betting, real estate ads made up 24.9 percent of violations, followed by personal care (5.7 percent), healthcare (5.23 percent), and food and beverage (4.69 percent). Influencer violations constituted 14 percent of the total advertisements processed.

In total, ASCI reviewed 7,199 advertisements during the year, following 9,599 complaints. Of the ads scrutinised, 98 percent required some form of modification. The violations were largely seen on digital platforms, with Meta-owned platforms accounting for the most cases.

ASCI stated that it has been escalating legally prohibited ads to relevant regulatory bodies for action. These include advertisements related to betting/gambling, alcohol, tobacco, and misleading health-related claims. The number of such escalations rose to 3,347 in 2024–25, up from 2,707 the previous year.

In addition, ASCI flagged a sharp increase in ads making false environmental claims. The regulator investigated 211 such advertisements this year, compared to just 34 in 2023–24. All the ads required modification due to lack of supporting evidence.

The council said the surge in digital ad content across sectors highlights the need for closer scrutiny and wider compliance with advertising norms, especially for categories that are already restricted under Indian law.