According to recent news reports, social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram continue to run advertisements for online betting and gambling companies in India, flouting the government’s advisory to remove such content. Despite multiple requests by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to remove these ads, they still continue to appear on these platforms. The ministry has warned the social media companies that they could face serious consequences if they fail to take action. Betting and gambling are illegal in most states in India, and the government has been taking steps to curb their growth. However, the rise of online betting and gambling has made it difficult to regulate, and social media companies have come under scrutiny for their role in promoting these activities.
The government of India has been cracking down on online gambling and betting for several years now, citing concerns about addiction and illegal activities. In November 2019, the government issued an advisory asking social media platforms to refrain from running online betting ads in the country. However, despite the advisory, many platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter have been found to continue running such ads.
In April 2021, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) issued a statement saying that it had found several online betting ads to be in violation of its code of conduct. The ASCI said that it had flagged these ads to the platforms and had requested them to take appropriate action. However, reports suggest that many of these ads are still being run on social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram.
The government has also taken steps to block access to online gambling sites and apps. In September 2020, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology directed internet service providers to block access to over 118 mobile apps, including several online gambling apps. In addition, the government has also been working on legislation to regulate online gambling and betting.
Despite these efforts, online gambling and betting continue to be popular in India, especially among young people. According to a report by the All India Gaming Federation, the online gaming industry in India is expected to grow to INR 29,000 crore by 2025.