ASCI sets up special cell to improve crackdown on offshore betting ads

As part of the partnership, ASCI has flagged 413 offshore betting ads to the MIB and reviewed 12 real-money gaming ads for potential violations of ASCI’s code

by e4m Staff
Published: Feb 18, 2025 11:48 AM | 2 min read

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has established a special monitoring cell to combat the rise of illegal offshore betting advertisements. The cell will identify and report non-compliant advertisements to regulatory authorities.

Since the partnership began, ASCI has flagged 413 offshore betting ads to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and reviewed 12 real-money gaming (RMG) ads for potential violations of ASCI’s advertising code. Previously, between April 2023 and March 2024, ASCI identified 1,336 offshore betting ads, leading to ministry action in blocking such ads and platforms.

Additionally, 492 cases related to real-money gaming ads were examined during this period.

“Indian consumers are exposed to numerous ads of offshore betting and gambling companies that have no accountability in India. Several Indian celebrities too have been a part of such advertisements. Since gambling ads are prohibited in most parts of the country, their large-scale presence is a breach of the law,” said Manisha Kapoor, CEO and Secretary General of ASCI.

“ASCI would like to surface such advertising to the regulators for necessary action.”

While Indian state laws prohibit gambling and offshore betting advertisements, real-money gaming that involves skill is permitted in most states. However, some offshore operators attempt to misrepresent themselves as legal gaming platforms, making it essential for ASCI to escalate such cases to regulatory bodies.

ASCI's guidelines mandate responsible advertising, ensuring that RMG ads do not depict minors, misleading winnings, or omit necessary disclaimers about the risks involved.

The MoU came into effect on January 2, 2025, the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF) together created a framework for greater scrutiny of offshore betting advertisements while ensuring that RMG advertising aligns with industry guidelines.

The special monitoring cell will actively track and report illegal advertisements, thereby strengthening compliance within the gaming industry.