Indian Authorities Issue Warning to Celebrities Over Illegal Gambling Promotion

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has issued a stern warning to celebrities and influencers regarding the promotion of offshore online gambling operators on social media platforms. Citing the significant financial and socio-economic impacts of online betting, the ministry advised against endorsing offshore operators. Violators of this directive may face stringent monitoring and potential penalties, according to the department.

Under the existing framework, the Indian government possesses the authority to issue notices to intermediaries, including social media platforms, urging them to remove posts that promote illegal gambling sites. Furthermore, celebrities found promoting illegal gambling may be subject to legal repercussions.

Social media platforms have also cautioned against the promotion of illegal online gambling or sports betting, emphasizing the potential penalties associated with such actions. Despite efforts to curb illegal gambling, it remains prohibited in most parts of India. The Central Consumer Protection Authority has echoed similar sentiments, cautioning that influencers' promotion of gambling may mislead the public regarding its legal status.