Centre urges States & UTs to curb outdoor advertisements of betting and gambling

Centre has requested all States and Union Territories to take appropriate action to curb outdoor advertisements of betting and gambling platforms.

Ministry of Information and Broadcasting Secretary Apurva Chandra has written a letter to Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs in this regard.

He said, betting and gambling is illegal in most parts of the country as they pose financial and social economic risk for consumers, especially youth and children.

Chandra said, advertisements of online betting websites and platforms have been largely curbed in mainstream print, electronic and digital media, but it has now come to the notice that some betting and gambling platforms have started using outdoor media.

Apurva further said they are now using hoardings, posters, banners, and auto rickshaw branding to promote their websites and apps in the country.

The Secretary said, such advertisements were prima facie observed to be misleading, and not in strict conformity with the Consumer Protection Act.