India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&amp;B) has warned social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms. Issuing a statement on Thursday (Mar 21), the I&amp;B ministry said that online gambling has significant financial and socio-economic implications. "The Ministry has said that these advertisements have significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth," the statement said.

"The ministry has further advised the online advertisement intermediaries not to target such promotional content towards Indian audience. Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content," it added.

The ministry said that a failure to comply with the advisory might lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, including removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts and penal action under the applicable statutes.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-businessman-loses-7-million-while-online-gambling-suspect-flees-police-618914">Indian businessman loses $7 million while gambling online, suspect flees: Police</a>

The advisory stressed that while Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 provides for exemption from liability of intermediaries for third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by them, "subsection (3)(b) of section 79 provides that the exemption from liability shall not apply if upon receiving actual knowledge, or on being notified by the appropriate Government or its agency that any information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by the intermediary is being used to commit the unlawful act, the intermediary fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to that material on that resource without vitiating the evidence in any manner."

The I&amp;B ministry further reiterated the advisory by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which expressed concerns over celebrities and influencers endorsing betting and gambling platforms. The CCPA had said that any such direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement shall be subjected to rigorous scrutiny.

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has warned social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms. Issuing a statement on Thursday (Mar 21), the I&B ministry said that online gambling has significant financial and socio-economic implications.

India's Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (I&B) has warned social media influencers against endorsing offshore online betting and gambling platforms. Issuing a statement on Thursday (Mar 21), the I&B ministry said that online gambling has significant financial and socio-economic implications. "The Ministry has said that these advertisements have significant financial and socio-economic implications of online betting and gambling on consumers, particularly the youth," the statement said. "The ministry has further advised the online advertisement intermediaries not to target such promotional content towards Indian audience. Social media intermediaries have also been advised to conduct sensitization efforts among their users to refrain from publishing such content," it added. The ministry said that a failure to comply with the advisory might lead to proceedings under the provisions of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, including removal or disabling of social media posts or accounts and penal action under the applicable statutes. Also read | Indian businessman loses $7 million while gambling online, suspect flees: Police The advisory stressed that while Section 79 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 provides for exemption from liability of intermediaries for third-party information, data, or communication link made available or hosted by them, "subsection (3)(b) of section 79 provides that the exemption from liability shall not apply if upon receiving actual knowledge, or on being notified by the appropriate Government or its agency that any information, data or communication link residing in or connected to a computer resource controlled by the intermediary is being used to commit the unlawful act, the intermediary fails to expeditiously remove or disable access to that material on that resource without vitiating the evidence in any manner." The I&B ministry further reiterated the advisory by the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) which expressed concerns over celebrities and influencers endorsing betting and gambling platforms. The CCPA had said that any such direct or indirect advertisement or endorsement shall be subjected to rigorous scrutiny.

India's I&B ministry cautions social media influencers against endorsing online gambling platforms

Australia has an issue of gambling. The covid-19 pandemic has pushed the problem to a whole new level and gamblers have now moved online. Authorities have now states that online gambling is harder to regulate.

Australia struggles with rising gambling debt | Online Gambling

Regular gamblers were more than six times more likely to gamble online compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research.

The study, led by the University of Bristol and published today (17 May) in the Journal of Gambling Studies, showed regular male gamblers were particularly prone to gambling more often online during the public lockdown in the UK, compared to their previously reported gambling habits.

Although overall men and women gambled less frequently during the lockdown, partly due to betting shops being closed, some forms of gambling increased. For instance, usage of online gambling, including poker, bingo, and casino games, grew six-fold among regular gamblers. Respondents who gambled occasionally were still found to be more than twice as likely than before to gamble online. Those who struggled financially before the pandemic were more likely to report gambling during the lockdown.

Lead author Professor Alan Emond, of the University of Bristol's Medical School, said: "This study provides unique real-time insights into how people's attitudes and gambling behaviour changed during lockdown when everyone was stuck inside and unable to participate in most social activities. The findings reveal that although many forms of gambling were restricted, a minority of regular gamblers significantly increased their gambling and betting online. As with so many repercussions of the pandemic, inequalities have been exacerbated and particularly vulnerable groups were worse affected."

The comparative research used two online questionnaires during the first lockdown in 2020, which surveyed the same group of adults, aged 28 years on average, who had previously been asked similar questions about gambling before the pandemic as part of the renowned Children of the 90s study, also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC).

More than 2,600 adults responded and results revealed that during lockdown men were three times more likely than women to gamble regularly, defined as more than once a week. Drinking heavily, defined as more than six units in a session (equivalent to more than three pints of beer) at least once a week, was strongly linked to regular gambling among men and women. These trends are likely to be much greater in reality, as the majority (70 per cent) of respondents to the surveys in lockdown were women.

Professor Emond, a public health expert, said: "The strong link between binge drinking and regular gambling is of particular concern, as they are both addictive behaviours which can have serious health and social consequences. With the wider availability of gambling through different online channels, vulnerable groups could get caught in a destructive cycle. A public health approach is needed to minimise gambling harms."

The research builds on other evidence, including the YouGov Covid-19 tracker study,

which found that regular gamblers turned to new online options during the lockdown. Data from the Gambling Commission derived from the biggest gambling operators in the UK also showed increased revenues during lockdown for online gambling, especially on esports, which dramatically gained in popularity as live sporting events traditionally betted on were suspended.

Previous research in the Journal of Public Policy &amp; Marketing, led by the University of Bristol, has revealed children are engaging particularly with esports gambling advertising on social media.

Online advertising expert and co-author c Professor of Marketing at the University of Bristol's School of Management, said: "The results of this study and trends being reported more widely are quite alarming. As gambling habits shift online, vulnerable groups including children and adults who drink heavily may be more easily sucked into these channels. The increased prevalence of home working is also an important consideration for future policymaking, as the temptation to gamble online, amplified by clever advertising, is always there. Children are also falling prey to this advertising, especially for esports, on social media and could get locked into addictive habits from an early age. Stricter regulation is needed in this growing field to protect unwitting consumers."

Regular gamblers were more than six times more likely to gamble online compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research. The study, led by the University of Bristol and published today (17 May) in the Journal of Gambling Studies, showed regular male gamblers were particularly prone to gambling more often online during the public lockdown in the UK, compared to their previously reported gambling habits.

Regular gamblers were more than six times more likely to gamble online compared to before the COVID-19 pandemic, according to new research. The study, led by the University of Bristol and published today (17 May) in the Journal of Gambling Studies, showed regular male gamblers were particularly prone to gambling more often online during the public lockdown in the UK, compared to their previously reported gambling habits. Although overall men and women gambled less frequently during the lockdown, partly due to betting shops being closed, some forms of gambling increased. For instance, usage of online gambling, including poker, bingo, and casino games, grew six-fold among regular gamblers. Respondents who gambled occasionally were still found to be more than twice as likely than before to gamble online. Those who struggled financially before the pandemic were more likely to report gambling during the lockdown. Lead author Professor Alan Emond, of the University of Bristol's Medical School, said: "This study provides unique real-time insights into how people's attitudes and gambling behaviour changed during lockdown when everyone was stuck inside and unable to participate in most social activities. The findings reveal that although many forms of gambling were restricted, a minority of regular gamblers significantly increased their gambling and betting online. As with so many repercussions of the pandemic, inequalities have been exacerbated and particularly vulnerable groups were worse affected." The comparative research used two online questionnaires during the first lockdown in 2020, which surveyed the same group of adults, aged 28 years on average, who had previously been asked similar questions about gambling before the pandemic as part of the renowned Children of the 90s study, also known as the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC). More than 2,600 adults responded and results revealed that during lockdown men were three times more likely than women to gamble regularly, defined as more than once a week. Drinking heavily, defined as more than six units in a session (equivalent to more than three pints of beer) at least once a week, was strongly linked to regular gambling among men and women. These trends are likely to be much greater in reality, as the majority (70 per cent) of respondents to the surveys in lockdown were women. Professor Emond, a public health expert, said: "The strong link between binge drinking and regular gambling is of particular concern, as they are both addictive behaviours which can have serious health and social consequences. With the wider availability of gambling through different online channels, vulnerable groups could get caught in a destructive cycle. A public health approach is needed to minimise gambling harms." The research builds on other evidence, including the YouGov Covid-19 tracker study, which found that regular gamblers turned to new online options during the lockdown. Data from the Gambling Commission derived from the biggest gambling operators in the UK also showed increased revenues during lockdown for online gambling, especially on esports, which dramatically gained in popularity as live sporting events traditionally betted on were suspended. Previous research in the Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, led by the University of Bristol, has revealed children are engaging particularly with esports gambling advertising on social media. Online advertising expert and co-author c Professor of Marketing at the University of Bristol's School of Management, said: "The results of this study and trends being reported more widely are quite alarming. As gambling habits shift online, vulnerable groups including children and adults who drink heavily may be more easily sucked into these channels. The increased prevalence of home working is also an important consideration for future policymaking, as the temptation to gamble online, amplified by clever advertising, is always there. Children are also falling prey to this advertising, especially for esports, on social media and could get locked into addictive habits from an early age. Stricter regulation is needed in this growing field to protect unwitting consumers."

Online gambling soared during lockdown especially among regular gamblers: Study

Hearing a case calling for the shutdown of online gambling sites and applications, a bench of the Madras High Court observed that online games were not only spoiling youth, but also young children.&nbsp;

The court mentioned that children were getting addicted towards dangerous, violent games and playing them in the wee hours of the day, which would impact them adversely. The case has been adjourned for September 29 for the state government to file their response.&nbsp;

Bench of Justices MM Sundaresh and Hemalatha pointed out that parents are in the dark about the late-night gaming habits of their children, adding that even a police constable in Tamil Nadu had to take the extreme step owing to his gambling addiction that had gone beyond control. Justice MM Sundaresh said that youngsters must not blindly follow matinee idols and celebrities&nbsp;to the extent of doing whatever they are asked to do.&nbsp;

Justice Hemalatha questioned the government counsel on why no action is taken against the abettors, pointing out that the authorities arrest the poor, whereas there is no action taken against the influential persons whoa re promoting such activities.&nbsp;

In late August, A senior advocate A.P.Suryaprakasam filed a plea in the Madras High Court seeking a ban on online gambling, and the arrest, prosecution of those running these sites and the famous personalities who endorse them. The plea points out that gambling is a criminal offence in India and that there has been a recent spurt in suicides among youth in Tamil Nadu after they suffered heavy losses in online gambling. This plea had sought the response of the central government (Ministry of Communications)and the state government (home department).

An official from the Department of Telecommunications(DoT) had responded to the plea on behalf of the central government. He stated that the DoT is not empowered to suo-motu direct the blocking of website URLs, but can only direct the Internet service providers to do the same, under instructions from the Court or the Ministry of Electronics and IT. It was stated that the decisions and directions for blocking websites is issued by Group Coordinator, Cyber Law Division, under the Information Technology Act, 2000.&nbsp;

The petitioner had compared online gambling to the blue whale challenge game that led to many youths ending their lives, calling it "a menace to society".&nbsp;

“Youngsters are being hooked to this online gambling addiction by the organizers by providing huge cash bonus. It uses the famous cricket and film personalities including cricketers like Virat Kohli and actress Tamannah who brainwash these young with their powerful appeal to join this game,” the petition states.&nbsp;

It adds that the youth start playing it as a timepass, which further leads to addiction, following which they borrow money from lenders at high-interest rates. After they reach a point where they sustain heavy losses and fail to repay, they end their lives.&nbsp;

“This gambling addiction is more dangerous to the society and violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, as it infringes the right to life. Hence this writ petition seeking ban” reads the plea.

In July, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had observed that the Central and State government’s could pass laws that ban games that involve money such as Online Rummy, other online card games across India.&nbsp;

The court drew a parallel to the Telangana government Ordinance amending the Telangana Gaming Act 1974 banning online Rummy. This meant that users playing real cash games from the state are prohibited from doing so.

Hearing a case calling for the shutdown of online gambling sites and applications, a bench of the Madras High Court observed that online games were not only spoiling youth, but also young children.

Hearing a case calling for the shutdown of online gambling sites and applications, a bench of the Madras High Court observed that online games were not only spoiling youth, but also young children. The court mentioned that children were getting addicted towards dangerous, violent games and playing them in the wee hours of the day, which would impact them adversely. The case has been adjourned for September 29 for the state government to file their response. Bench of Justices MM Sundaresh and Hemalatha pointed out that parents are in the dark about the late-night gaming habits of their children, adding that even a police constable in Tamil Nadu had to take the extreme step owing to his gambling addiction that had gone beyond control. Justice MM Sundaresh said that youngsters must not blindly follow matinee idols and celebrities to the extent of doing whatever they are asked to do. Justice Hemalatha questioned the government counsel on why no action is taken against the abettors, pointing out that the authorities arrest the poor, whereas there is no action taken against the influential persons whoa re promoting such activities. In late August, A senior advocate A.P.Suryaprakasam filed a plea in the Madras High Court seeking a ban on online gambling, and the arrest, prosecution of those running these sites and the famous personalities who endorse them. The plea points out that gambling is a criminal offence in India and that there has been a recent spurt in suicides among youth in Tamil Nadu after they suffered heavy losses in online gambling. This plea had sought the response of the central government (Ministry of Communications)and the state government (home department). An official from the Department of Telecommunications(DoT) had responded to the plea on behalf of the central government. He stated that the DoT is not empowered to suo-motu direct the blocking of website URLs, but can only direct the Internet service providers to do the same, under instructions from the Court or the Ministry of Electronics and IT. It was stated that the decisions and directions for blocking websites is issued by Group Coordinator, Cyber Law Division, under the Information Technology Act, 2000. The petitioner had compared online gambling to the blue whale challenge game that led to many youths ending their lives, calling it "a menace to society". “Youngsters are being hooked to this online gambling addiction by the organizers by providing huge cash bonus. It uses the famous cricket and film personalities including cricketers like Virat Kohli and actress Tamannah who brainwash these young with their powerful appeal to join this game,” the petition states. It adds that the youth start playing it as a timepass, which further leads to addiction, following which they borrow money from lenders at high-interest rates. After they reach a point where they sustain heavy losses and fail to repay, they end their lives. “This gambling addiction is more dangerous to the society and violative of Article 21 of the Constitution of India, as it infringes the right to life. Hence this writ petition seeking ban” reads the plea. In July, the Madurai bench of the Madras High Court had observed that the Central and State government’s could pass laws that ban games that involve money such as Online Rummy, other online card games across India. The court drew a parallel to the Telangana government Ordinance amending the Telangana Gaming Act 1974 banning online Rummy. This meant that users playing real cash games from the state are prohibited from doing so.

Madras High Court seeks Tamil Nadu govt's response over possible ban on online gambling, violent games

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