ASCI Flags Betting Ads & Influencers As Top Advertising Rule Violators In FY2025–26

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI), in its half-yearly report for FY 2025–26, identified betting ads and influencer promotions as the biggest violators of advertising rules. Offshore and illegal betting advertisements topped the list, with 4,578 cases flagged between April and September 2025, including 683 influencer-led promotions.

The regulator said these ads continue to reach Indian audiences despite being prohibited under the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. Influencers were also found to be frequent offenders; of 1,173 influencer ads investigated, 98% required modification, and 59% promoted restricted products. Digital media accounted for 97% of violations, led by Meta and Google platforms. ASCI CEO and Secretary General Manisha Kapoor said the widespread exposure to betting ads and low compliance among top influencers remain major concerns. Voluntary compliance, however, improved to 88% in this period.