Meta's Blind Eye to Illegal Betting Ads: A Wake-Up Call
Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, is facing serious accusations from the UK Gambling Commission. The commission has pointed out that Meta has been turning a blind eye to illegal online casino advertisements on its platforms, allowing criminal entities to thrive. Tim Miller, the Commission's executive director, stated that anyone who spends time on Meta's platforms likely encounters these illegal ads regularly.
Many of these advertisements promote sites that do not comply with Britain's 'GamStop' self-exclusion scheme for online gambling. This raises alarm bells regarding user safety and the integrity of online platforms. Miller emphasized that Meta's assertion of being unaware of these ads until notified is "simply false." He suggested that Meta is aware of these illegal advertisers yet chooses to ignore them for financial gain.
In response to the allegations, Meta claimed it has strict advertising policies regarding online gambling and takes action to remove any ads that violate these guidelines once identified. A spokesperson for Meta stated that the company is committed to working closely with the Gambling Commission to eliminate flagged ads and improve its detection tools.
While sports betting and online gambling are legal in the UK, operators must adhere to stringent regulations set forth by the Gambling Commission. This situation raises questions about the effectiveness of online ad regulations and the responsibility of social media platforms in preventing illegal activities.
In the Indian context, similar challenges are being faced with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which prohibits all forms of online money games like poker and fantasy sports. Only "online social games" and e-sports are permitted. The Indian IT Ministry has proposed draft rules to establish an Online Gaming Authority to regulate this sector and create a framework for legal operations.
Currently, the Supreme Court of India is hearing a constitutional challenge against the online real-money gaming ban, with significant implications for the gaming industry. As the landscape evolves, it is clear that effective oversight and regulation are crucial in both India and abroad to protect users from illegal and harmful activities.
