Government Warns Media Against Online Betting Ads Ahead Of Asia Cup And Cricket World Cup, Legal Action Looms For Non-Compliance

Ahead of Asia Cup and World Cup, central government issued an advisory to curb betting ads in India.

The advisory from the central government comes ahead of tournaments like Asia Cup and World Cups

New Delhi: The central government issued a cautionary message to media organizations regarding the promotion of online betting platforms in their publications or broadcasts on Friday (August 25). The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in an advisory directed at newspapers, television networks, digital media platforms and social media channels, urged them to promptly cease the dissemination of advertisements or promotional material related to betting and gambling platforms in any manner.

The advisory further emphasized that should these media entities neglect to comply with the directive, the government would be compelled to initiate suitable legal actions under the provisions of different laws and regulations.

"It may be noted that advertisements of gambling/betting platforms not only pose significant financial and socio-economic risk for consumers, especially the youth and children, but have linkages to money laundering networks, thereby threatening the financial security of the country," the advisory said.

The advisory from the central government comes ahead of Asia Cup 2023 which begins on August 30. While the continental tournament is being hosted by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), India will play all their matches in Sri Lanka after its reluctance to travel to Pakisan due to the tensed political relationship between the countries.

India will begin their Asia Cup 2023 campaign against arch-rivals Pakistan at the Pallekele International Cricket Stadium on September 2 (Saturday). There could be two to three IND vs PAK fixtures in the tournament. If both the teams proceed to Super Fours, they will meet in Colombo on Septembe 10 and if they set up a final against each other, it will be played at the same venue on September 17.

Despite India not travelling to Pakistan for Asia Cup, Pakistan gave a green flag to the Pakistan Men's Cricket Team to participate in the ODI World Cup in India later this year. The much-anticipated IND vs PAK World Cup fixture is scheduled at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. The match was supposed to be played on October 15 but after a request from security agencies who pointed out that the match clashes with the start of Navaratri which is a festival celebrated with fervour in Gujarat and sees several Garba fests being organised, the match was advanced by a day.

(With Inputs From PTI)