India plans crackdown on Illegal betting and gambling apps violating CCPA norms

Delhi: The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has requested action against indirect and surrogate advertisements that promote illegal betting and gambling, which have become more prevalent during the cricket and election seasons.

The government is aiming to crack down on these advertisements as they clearly violate the guidelines set by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA).

This move comes in response to the widespread use of betting apps, particularly during events like the Indian Premier League (IPL) and general elections, despite clear guidelines prohibiting such activities.

The Ministry of Consumer Affairs has written to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (Meity), urging them to identify all violators and take appropriate legal action, including imposing penalties and banning the operations of betting and gambling apps.

Betting and gambling are prohibited under the Public Gambling Act of 1867 and are illegal in most parts of India. However, despite regulations, online betting platforms continue to advertise their services, raising concerns about the financial and socio-economic implications, especially among the youth.