New Delhi: The Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Ministry has directed all private television broadcasters to follow the Advertising Standards Council of India’s (ASCI) guidelines for advertisements related to online gaming, fantasy sports, etc.
The ministry has also said the advertisements should not promote any activity prohibited by statute or law.
“It has come to the notice of the I&B Ministry that a large number of advertisements on Online Gaming, Fantasy Sports, etc. have been appearing on television. Concerns were expressed that such advertisements appear to be misleading, do not correctly convey to the customers the financial and other risks associated thereof, are not in strict conformity with the Advertising Code laid down under Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and the Consumer Protection Act, 2019,” a ministry advisory said.
ASCI guidelines
- Every such gaming advertisement must carry the following disclaimer: “This game involves an element of financial risk and may be addictive. Please play responsibly and at your own risk”.
- Such a disclaimer should occupy at least 20% of the advertisement space.
- Gaming advertisements cannot depict users under the age of 18 years as engaged in playing a game of “online gaming for real money winnings” or suggest that such users can play these games.
- The advertisements should neither suggest that online gaming presents an income-generating opportunity as an alternative to employment nor depict a person playing such games is more successful than others.
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