A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in Supreme Court to initiate blocking and censorship of URLs, mobile apps, YouTube videos, and social media links that promote illegal betting activities. The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and several high-profile celebrities have been prosecuted for allegedly promoting online illicit gambling platforms.
Lawyer Davinder Singh is seeking immediate judicial intervention. He is confident that this is the only way to stop the illegal promotion of mobile apps. The lawsuit says the Advertising Standards Board of India takes no action against the spread of ads that mislead users. The body even allows celebrity endorsements that embellish and legitimize these illegal platforms.
It not only fails to take timely action against misleading advertisements but also does not endeavor to track them down. PIL seeks prosecution and criminal action against the advertisers, citing Sections 21 and 89 of the relevant Act. Meanwhile, among those who are sought to be prosecuted are well-known actors. They star in advertisements and dangerously mislead consumers, especially vulnerable young people, by presenting gambling as safe and profitable. The petition says that such portrayal has devastating consequences for impressionable audiences.
The lawsuit points to several tragic cases, among which there was even a suicide. This is not to mention the financial losses suffered by users of such platforms.
The petition also calls on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to coordinate with law enforcement agencies and block the work of illegal gambling sites. The advocate also insists on investigating money laundering, data privacy breaches, and misuse of Aadhaar and mobile data. It also points out the dire need to create comprehensive rules to regulate the advertising and operations of online betting platforms.
India now has widespread advertising for the online game Aviator, which has quickly gained popularity since its introduction. However, it has not been affected by the petition, as this game is powered by the Provably Fair algorithm. Therefore, Aviator continues to be freely advertised and promoted in the country, but most of all, it is presented on special information sites such as https://aviatorapps.in/. Such resources also maintain a selection of online platforms for playing Aviator.
The restrictions are likely to affect more than just the games and casinos themselves. The petition’s author points to Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which clearly states the need to block access to illegal online content and take strong action against violators. The petition emphasizes the public health, economic, and legal risks posed by these platforms.
Thus, the petition points to two main problems: celebrities’ open advertising of illegal platforms and ASCI’s failure to fulfill its direct responsibilities.
