Key Moments:
- Betting advertisements accounted for the majority of ad violations in India during the first half of 2025
- ASCI investigated 6,117 ads between April and September, marking a 102% year-over-year rise in cases processed
- Meta platforms hosted 78.9% of all flagged digital advertising violations
Surge in Online Betting Ads Triggers Regulatory Concerns
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has issued an alert regarding an escalating number of illegal betting promotions infiltrating digital channels. According to ASCI’s latest half-yearly report, the first half of 2025 saw betting advertisements represent the primary source of advertising violations, highlighting the adaptability of unregistered operators to gaps in current advertising regulations.
From April to September, ASCI evaluated 6,841 complaints and examined 6,117 advertisements. This translates to a 70% increase in complaints and a 102% increase in processed cases compared to the corresponding timeframe the previous year. The regulator attributes this growth to improved monitoring, increased consumer awareness, and closer collaboration with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.
Gambling Promotions Lead Advertising Offenses
ASCI’s findings revealed that 4,575 betting ads were identified for violations in the first six months of the year, along with three instances of surrogate advertising for gambling brands. These figures demonstrate that illegal betting adverts continue to dominate India’s advertising infractions.
Other sectors with significant violations included personal care (367), healthcare (332), food and beverage (211), and education (71). Collectively, these five sectors were responsible for almost 90% of all reported breaches, and 98% of the ads under review required modification.
Despite ongoing restrictions, betting operators are leveraging proxy advertising and influencer partnerships to penetrate social media and video platforms, maintaining a heavy presence across digital media.
Digital Platforms Account for Vast Majority of Violations
A substantial 97% of reported ad violations took place on digital platforms. Meta properties hosted the greatest share, making up 78.9% of all flagged ads, with websites contributing 13.7%, Google accounting for 4.6%, and property portals 3%. Traditional media was linked to less than 3% of total violations, illustrating the dominance of online channels for both legitimate and illicit promotions.
Influencer marketing continues to present compliance challenges. ASCI reviewed 1,173 influencer ads, with 98% requiring amendments. Over half involved products prohibited by law, while three-quarters of these ads lacked mandatory disclosure labels.
| Sector | Number of Violations |
|---|---|
| Betting | 4,575 |
| Personal care | 367 |
| Healthcare | 332 |
| Food & Beverage | 211 |
| Education | 71 |
ASCI Advocates for Enhanced Accountability
ASCI CEO Manisha Kapoor commented that the report “reflected deeper challenges in maintaining credibility in India’s digital marketplace.” She stated:
“The widespread exposure to betting ads despite the ban, as well as the disappointing standards set by top influencers, are some challenges that have come to the fore in our recent work.”
“Consumer trust can be fragile in the digital age, and such practices create problems for the industry at large.”
Kapoor also noted an increase in voluntary compliance and uncontested cases, indicating a gradual shift by brands toward greater accountability.
Policy Debates to Influence Industry Direction
ASCI’s findings coincide with active parliamentary discussions over a national online gaming framework and potential tighter penalties for unregistered betting platforms. Regulators are emphasizing the importance of greater collaboration between government agencies and online platforms to curb illegal advertising practices.
With more than four thousand betting-related ads identified in just six months, the magnitude of the current issue underscores how swiftly the online gambling industry has surpassed available enforcement mechanisms. ASCI plans to enhance real-time monitoring and forge deeper regulatory partnerships in a bid to improve future detection and compliance.
As advertising landscapes continue to shift, the ability of enforcement bodies to keep up with rapidly changing tactics will be critical for restoring consumer trust and upholding market integrity.
- Author
Daniel Williams
