The betting control board dealt a blow to the flourishing gambling industry with a raft of new measures it says are meant to protect the public from gambling addiction.
In a directive issued on April 30, by the ministry of interior and coordination the board banned various forms of betting and gambling advertising that have been helping firms woo clients.
They include outdoor and social media adverts, TV ads from 6am to 10pm, and endorsement of bets and their firms by celebrities.
In a memo sent to the newsroom, the ministry states that any form of advertisement of gambling must be approved by a board.
The statement further urges media houses to comply with the new directive or face dier consequences.
” The Ministry of interior and coordination has banned all outdoor and social media advertising of gambling. It has further decided that any form of advertisement of gambling must be approved by a board. Media houses have until May 30th, 2019 to comply with the new directive,”it states.
Earlier, the Betting Control and Licensing Board (BCLB) had said that most betting machines at various shopping centers countrywide are operated illegally.
BCLB, which is a government agency under the Ministry of Interior and Coordination of National Government, is tasked with controlling and licensing of betting and gaming premises, recovery of tax on betting and gaming, and authorizing public lotteries.