Illegal betting promotions topped the list of advertising violations in India during the first half of 2025, according to the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI). The organisation’s half-year report showed a significant increase in complaints and investigated ads between April and September 2025.

ASCI reviewed 6,841 complaints and investigated 6,117 advertisements in this period, marking a 70% rise in complaints and a 102% jump in processed ads compared to the same time last year. The council said this increase was mainly due to stronger monitoring systems, greater consumer awareness, and closer cooperation with regulators such as the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Betting Ads Dominate Violations

Illegal betting ads were the biggest rule breakers, making up 4,575 of all reported cases. There were also three more cases of betting companies using indirect or surrogate advertising. Other top violators included personal care brands with 367 cases, healthcare with 332, food and beverage with 211, and education with 71.

Together, these five categories made up about 90% of all ads investigated. ASCI said that 98% of the ads reviewed had to be changed to follow proper advertising rules, showing that many brands are still not following the guidelines.

Most of these violations came from online platforms, which accounted for 97% of the total cases. Meta platforms like Facebook and Instagram led with almost 79% of digital violations, followed by websites at 13.7%, Google at 4.6%, and property portals at 3%. Traditional media such as TV and newspapers made up less than 3%, proving that online spaces are still the biggest problem area.

Influencers Under Scrutiny

The report also reveals a sudden rise in violations among social media influencers. ASCI investigated 1,173 influencer ads, and 98% were found to need changes. Around 59% of these ads promoted products that are banned or restricted under Indian law, while 76% of top digital creators failed to follow disclosure rules set by ASCI and the Central Consumer Protection Authority.

This shows a growing problem of non-compliance among India’s most visible online figures, many of whom promote betting sites and other questionable products to large audiences.

ASCI Calls for Responsible Advertising

Commenting on the findings, ASCI CEO and Secretary General Manisha Kapoor said that the spread of illegal betting ads, despite existing bans, and the poor compliance among influencers remains a serious concern.

She added that consumer trust is fragile in today’s digital environment and that misleading ads damage the credibility of the industry. However, she also noted that ASCI has seen encouraging progress, with more companies accepting decisions without dispute and voluntarily correcting their ads.

The report comes at a time when India is debating stricter national rules for online gaming and increased enforcement against unregistered betting platforms.