India’s recent blanket ban on real-money gaming has led to a major rise in advertising for unregulated offshore betting platforms. These platforms are aggressively targeting Indian users with a blitz of digital marketing campaigns that include substantial sign-up bonuses and dubious celebrity endorsements.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, passed by Parliament, aims to protect citizens from financial ruin and addiction by outlawing all online money games. However, a consequence of this crackdown has been the sudden vacuum in the advertising market, which is now being filled by illegal, foreign-based operators. These companies, operating outside of India’s tax and regulatory framework, are offering staggering deals, such as a 500% bonus on deposits and up to ₹33,000 in welcome bonuses.
A key element of this ad blitz is the use of fabricated celebrity endorsements. AI-generated ads featuring prominent Indian actors and cricketers are surfacing across social media platforms, lending an air of legitimacy to these illegal betting sites. These ads are often difficult for the average user to identify as fraudulent, making them highly effective at luring in new customers. Industry experts warn that by shutting down legitimate, tax-paying domestic firms, the government has inadvertently created a favorable environment for black-market operators. This not only poses risks of money laundering and tax evasion but also leaves Indian users vulnerable to fraud with no legal recourse.
Key Highlights:
- The recent ban on real-money gaming in India has led to a surge in digital advertising by unregulated offshore betting platforms.
- These offshore sites are luring Indian users with aggressive promotions, including massive sign-up bonuses and high-percentage discounts.
- The advertisements are often supported by fake, AI-generated celebrity endorsements, which make the illegal platforms appear legitimate.
- Industry experts warn that the ban on domestic firms has unintentionally driven users toward a black market, increasing risks of fraud and money laundering.
You can learn more about the implications of the Online Gaming Bill in this video. Online Gaming Bill 2025 Passed: Real-Money Games Banned in India | What It Means for You