The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has banned promotional advertisements for cryptocurrency, tobacco, and alcohol during the Tata IPL 2025. This decision follows a directive from India’s Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, which instructed the BCCI to remove all such ads from the tournament due to the IPL 2025 ad ban.
The highly anticipated IPL 2025 will begin on March 22 at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. However, before the first ball is bowled, the BCCI will hold a crucial meeting. The meeting will occur in Kolkata, which will finalize the details of the IPL 2025 ad ban, and include the Apex Council and organizing committee. The agenda consists of a detailed discussion of the government’s directive regarding the ban on these advertisements.
Health Ministry’s Directive to BCCI
Earlier this month, the Health Ministry issued a formal order to the BCCI. The order requested a complete ban on direct and indirect ads related to tobacco, alcohol, and cryptocurrency. It also included surrogate ads often used to bypass advertising restrictions. The goal is to promote public health awareness during India’s most-watched sporting event, IPL 2025, under the new ad ban rules.
IPL’s History with Promotional Bans
This isn’t the first time that the BCCI has implemented such bans. During IPL 2024, the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) flagged 14 brands for violating ad guidelines. These included misleading or unregulated ads related to tobacco, betting, edtech, and alcohol. The policy continues with IPL 2025 ad ban enforcement.
In response, the ad regulators tightened their rules for specific industries. These include online gaming, cryptocurrency, D2C brands, tobacco products, and celebrity-led promotions. The BCCI followed suit and has now strengthened its policies for IPL 2025, reflecting the IPL 2025 ad ban.
Women’s Premier League Already Implemented Ban
During the recently concluded Women’s Premier League (WPL), the BCCI had already implemented a strict advertising ban on cryptocurrency and tobacco brands. This decision received strong support from health and youth organizations.
The same advertising policy will now apply to IPL 2025, the world’s biggest T20 cricket tournament, under the IPL 2025 ad ban. With millions of fans watching, the BCCI believes it has a moral responsibility to promote healthy values.
Meeting to Finalize Details Before IPL 2025
The BCCI will finalize the ban and its scope during a meeting on March 22, right before IPL begins. The Apex Council and IPL organizing committee will review ad contracts and ensure compliance with the IPL 2025 ad ban. New advertising rules will also be updated for franchises and broadcasters.
Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 Also on Agenda
Besides ad regulations, the BCCI will discuss the Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. One of the key points includes finalizing the venues for the tournament. They will also work on forming a Local Organizing Committee (LOC) to manage operations for the event.
The Women’s World Cup 2025 will be a significant step in promoting women’s cricket in India. The BCCI’s efforts aim to ensure IPL and WPL remain aligned with national health and safety guidelines.
Why This Move Matters
India ranks among the top countries for tobacco-related deaths, and concerns about crypto and betting ads are growing. IPL is a platform that reaches millions of young fans. Promoting responsible messaging through the IPL 2025 ad ban is crucial for the future of sports and society.
With these actions, the BCCI sets an example in prioritizing public health and keeping cricket a clean and inspiring sport for all.
