India: CCPA issues guidelines on banning gambling advertisements

In India the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has recently issued a comprehensive advisory warning against the promotion of illegal activities like betting and gambling.

This advisory, aligned with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, emphasizes the strict prohibition of advertising, promotion, and endorsement of unlawful activities prohibited under various laws. Betting and gambling are explicitly prohibited under the Public Gambling Act, 1867, and are illegal in most parts of the country. 

Despite these regulations, online platforms continue to advertise betting and gambling, sometimes disguised as gaming activities. 

The CCPA cautions celebrities and influencers that endorsing such activities carries equal liability for engaging in illegal practices. 

The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has also issued advisories to media platforms to refrain from promoting betting and gambling services. 

Online advertising intermediaries have been specifically warned against targeting Indian audiences with such advertisements. The guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements, 2022, strictly prohibit the promotion of products or services that are illegal under existing laws.