In a recent report by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), offshore betting ads were revealed to be the top violator of advertising regulations in the country. The ASCI’s 2024-25 Annual Complaints Report highlighted that complaints about offshore betting ads had more than doubled compared to the previous year, making up nearly half of all cases reviewed.
The ASCI investigated a total of 9,599 complaints and reviewed 7,199 advertisements over the course of the year, requiring modifications in 98% of the ads examined. Offshore betting ads accounted for 43% of the ads that needed changes, with realty ads coming in second at 24.9%.
The increase in complaints about betting ads followed the launch of a special monitoring unit in collaboration with three online gaming federations in January 2025. The ASCI flagged all betting ads for violating Chapter 3 of its Code, which prohibits illegal product promotions such as gambling.
The report also highlighted that over 3,000 offshore betting ads were identified during the year, with 318 of these coming from social media influencers. Influencer violations made up 14% of the total ads processed. The ASCI credited its special monitoring unit for improving ad surveillance and identifying illegal betting platforms being promoted through disguised ads on various online platforms.
Furthermore, the report noted that public complaints about advertising violations, particularly related to betting ads, had increased significantly. Digital platforms, especially Meta, accounted for the majority of complaints received by the ASCI.
Overall, the ASCI emphasized the importance of collaborations and efforts to address critical areas like offshore betting and gambling violations to ensure accountability and responsibility in the advertising landscape. The report also highlighted the need for stricter regulation on illegal gambling sites in India, as identified in a separate report on the Indian gambling market.
The findings of the ASCI’s report underscore the ongoing challenges and efforts to regulate advertising practices, particularly in the context of offshore betting and gambling promotions in India.