Offshore betting ads top India advertising violations
India’s advertising watchdog says offshore betting platforms generated the highest number of violations, with in 2025-26.
India.- Offshore betting operators accounted for the largest number of advertising violations identified by the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) during the 2025-26 financial year. That’s according to the organisation’s latest annual complaints report.
The self-regulatory body said 6,933 cases involved offshore betting ads. The report highlighted growing concerns around the rapid spread of betting-related content across digital platforms and social media channels.
ASCI reviewed 11,581 cases across all sectors in the financial year, representing a 21 per cent year-on-year increase. The cases involved 9,841 advertisements, with digital platforms accounting for more than 97 per cent of those scrutinised.
According to the report, offshore betting advertising continues to spread through influencer marketing, affiliate networks, messaging apps and social media groups, making enforcement and monitoring more difficult. Between April and December 2025, the ASCI identified 854 influencer-related violations, including accounts dedicated entirely to offshore betting promotions.
Meta-owned platforms represented nearly 80 per cent of digital violations identified by the regulator, while sponsored social media content made up the majority of problematic advertising. ASCI Chairman Sudhanshu Vats said the report showed a growing trend towards exaggerated claims, influencer-led promotion and repeated non-compliance. He stressed the need for stronger accountability standards and more responsible advertising practices online.
