The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting urged all social media endorsers and influencers against promoting or advertising offshore online betting and gaming platforms, including through substitute advertisements.
According to the ministry, these advertisements have significant financial and socioeconomic effects for clients, particularly young individuals who gamble online.
Social media intermediaries have also been encouraged to raise awareness among their users to avoid uploading such content. Furthermore, the ministry confirmed the Central Consumer Protection Authority’s (CCPA) March 6 advisory, which expressed concerns about celebrities and influencers endorsing and promoting betting and gambling platforms, and warned that any such direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement would be closely scrutinised.
Failure to comply may result in processes under the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, including the removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts, as well as penal action under the applicable law.
