The Committee for the Development of Competition and Protection of Consumer Rights has reported an increase in advertising of bookmaker services, warning that such activities are illegal and violators will be held accountable.

According to the committee, ahead of the FIFA World Cup, there has been a rise in promotional materials for betting, gambling, and other risk-based games on social media, websites, and Telegram groups and channels.

Some individuals are allegedly exploiting interest in the major sporting event to distribute ads promising quick profits or big wins, encouraging people to participate in risk-based games.

Under Article 46 of the Law on Advertising, Uzbekistan prohibits advertising of gambling and other risk-based games, including those conducted via telecommunications networks and the internet.

Furthermore, promoting bookmaker services, as well as producing and distributing their advertisements, entails legal liability.

“Some individuals promoting bookmaker services are trying to operate anonymously, using fake accounts and pseudonyms, and distributing ads through foreign electronic platforms. However, such cases do not go unnoticed and are being investigated by the authorities,” the committee stated.

The committee added that it is conducting systematic monitoring of the internet and social media. Materials on identified violations are submitted to law enforcement agencies, particularly the cyber security units of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The agency urged citizens not to trust such suspicious ads, which have increased under the pretext of the 2026 World Cup, not to share them, and to report violations to the authorities.

Source: www.gazeta.uz