PIL targets Indian ad council, celebrities for endorsing illegal betting apps
A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court has brought the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and several high-profile celebrities under legal scrutiny for allegedly promoting illegal online betting platforms.
Petition alleges ASCI inaction on misleading ads
The PIL, filed by Advocate Davinder Singh, accuses ASCI of failing to perform its duty as a self-regulatory body by allowing promotional content for illegal gambling platforms, as reported by Storyboard18. According to the plea, these platforms continue to advertise freely, often using celebrity endorsements to lend them credibility.
The petitioner claims that ASCI has not taken timely action against misleading advertisements that violate its code and provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019—especially Sections 21 and 89, which provide for penalties against false and deceptive advertising.
Celebrity under scanner
The petition lists actors and entertainers including Ranbir Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Esha Gupta, Urvashi Rautela, Jacqueline Fernandez, and singers Badshah and Karan Aujla as endorsers of betting apps. Singh argues that their promotions mislead the public, particularly young audiences, by presenting gambling as safe, entertaining, and financially rewarding.
“The endorsements create a false legitimacy and have devastating consequences for impressionable audiences,” the PIL states. Several tragic incidents, including student suicides linked to betting addiction, have been cited as evidence of the growing social impact of online gambling.
Call for enforcement
The petition urges the High Court to direct ASCI to initiate legal proceedings against celebrities promoting these platforms and enforce stricter monitoring of ads related to gambling. It also seeks the involvement of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate possible money laundering, data misuse, and breaches of privacy.
Singh has specifically demanded the use of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which allows the government to block public access to illegal websites, to curb the spread of betting apps. The PIL also pushes for the creation of a comprehensive regulatory framework to govern both the advertising and operations of online betting platforms.
Between April and August 2024, ASCI flagged over 700 advertisements linked to illegal betting services and forwarded them to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). However, concerns remain over the rise of surrogate advertising.
Wider crackdown on gambling ads
This PIL follows a similar case filed in the Supreme Court by evangelist K.A. Paul, which also seeks a nationwide ban on online betting apps and legal action against celebrity endorsers, including top cricketers and film stars.
In 2023, MIB issued advisories to state chief secretaries, instructing them to take action against gambling-related outdoor advertising. Secretary Apurva Chandra noted a shift from digital to physical promotion, including hoardings, banners, and auto-rickshaw branding.
