1xBet, Betway, Stake, and Few More Well-Known iGaming Companies Get Sued in India

A lawsuit has been filed in India against several operators, which are renowned all around the world – however, in the nation, they are deemed illegal – as well as against India’s advertising regulator and a number of celebrities.

Photo: Betway platform (https://www.youtube.com/@PolokwaneAdventures)

The Public Interest Litigation (PIL), which was filed by petitioner Davinder Singh, requests that the court in India impose restrictions and block websites, mobile applications, YouTube videos, and social media accounts that promote unlawful gambling activities of some of the most well-known iGaming operators in the world but, above all, trusted online bookies.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court received a complaint by a PIL, which is used to protect and safeguard public interest matters, promote social justice, enhance government accountability, and serve as a crucial mechanism for protecting the rights of all citizens, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized sections of society in India, against the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and a number of well-known celebrities for allegedly endorsing illegal online gambling platforms. In order to stop what he claims is the widespread and unregulated advertising of unlawful betting applications like Fairplay, 1xBet, Parimatch, Betway, and Stake, as well as Lotus365 and SkyExchange, advocate Singh has requested immediate judicial involvement.

Celebrities in India Under Scrutiny for Promoting Gambling

According to the petition, the industry self-regulatory organization ASCI isn’t doing enough to stop deceptive advertising. By permitting celebrity endorsements that glamorize and legitimize these illicit venues, the petitioner contends that ASCI has failed to uphold its mission. Five actors and two singers are among the endorsers targeted by the PIL, which calls for their prosecution and criminal penalties. According to the petition, these endorsements deceive consumers, especially young people who are more susceptible, by presenting gambling as profitable and safe.

There have also been concerns expressed over surrogate advertising. Stakeholders in the Real Money Gaming (RMG) sector wrote to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) Secretary to draw attention to the way offshore bookmakers Melbet, Dafabet, Vegas11, Fun88, and 1xBet are hiding advertisements under brands that sound similar, such as Melbat, Dafanews, Vegas11 Sports News, Fun88 News, and Batery.AI.

A PIL points to the detrimental impact that online betting apps have on the nation’s children. In addition to demanding an immediate ban on these applications, the petition wants legal action against celebrities who promote these platforms and supposedly deceive their audience by promoting dangerous conduct. These celebrities include well-known cricket players and actors from Bollywood and South India.