In Uzbekistan, action has been taken against two online content creators, known as “vines,” for advertising bookmaker services. The Committee on Competition reports this development via its press service.
During a review and analysis of advertising disseminated through online platforms and social networks, the Committee identified instances where bloggers, boasting hundreds of thousands of followers, were promoting bookmaker services on their accounts, in potential violation of existing legal requirements.
Specifically, it was determined that the following individuals had published videos featuring the Melbet bookmaker brand, alongside staged scenes promoting gambling activities:
In response to these findings, the Committee on Competition initiated administrative proceedings against the aforementioned bloggers, and subsequently referred the relevant documentation to the court.
The Law of the Republic of Uzbekistan “On Advertising” explicitly prohibits the advertisement of gambling and other games of chance within the country. Advertising such activities carries corresponding legal repercussions.
Previously, four bloggers were held accountable for similar violations: Jasurbek Shodiev (jasjannew), Dadabek Normamatov (allme. uz), Sherkhon Rakhmatov (sherxon.zdss), and Hojiakbar Hasanboev (hojiakbar_ku). Reports of these earlier cases surfaced in June of 2023.