The Government of India on January 16, blocked access to 242 illegal online betting and gambling website links, marking another major step in its sustained campaign against unauthorised digital gambling platforms. Officials said the action was taken to protect users, particularly young people, from the financial, psychological and social harm associated with illegal online betting and real-money gambling.
With this latest round of enforcement, the total number of illegal betting and gambling websites blocked by the Centre has crossed 7,800, reflecting a sharp escalation in regulatory action over the past year. Authorities attribute this intensified crackdown to a clearer legal mandate provided by the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, passed by Parliament in August last year.
Why the Government is cracking down
According to officials, illegal online gambling platforms pose a serious risk to public welfare, especially among young users who are increasingly being targeted through aggressive digital advertising, social media influencers and misleading “skill-based” gaming claims.
“The move is aimed at protecting users, especially the youth, and curbing the financial and social harm caused by illegal online betting and gambling platforms,” an official statement said. Government briefings have repeatedly flagged rising cases of gambling addiction, mounting personal debt, family distress and even suicides linked to real-money betting apps.
Law enforcement agencies and state governments have also raised alarms over illegal betting platforms being used for money laundering, tax evasion and cross-border financial fraud, with several operators allegedly based outside India but targeting Indian users.
Online Gaming Act, 2025
The latest blocking action follows the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, a landmark law designed to bring clarity to India’s fast-growing but loosely regulated online gaming ecosystem.
Passed by Parliament in August 2025, the Act creates a dedicated statutory framework to distinguish between permissible online games and prohibited gambling activities, particularly real-money betting and chance-based games. It empowers authorities to take swift action against illegal operators, advertisers and digital intermediaries facilitating such platforms.
Under the new law, offering prohibited online money games can attract stringent penalties, including heavy fines and criminal liability. The Act also strengthens investigative powers, allowing agencies to trace financial flows, scrutinise payment gateways and penalise celebrity endorsements or influencer promotions linked to illegal gambling apps.
At the time of its passage, official briefings made it clear that the law was aimed at curbing addiction, preventing financial exploitation and reducing the broader social costs of unchecked online gambling.
How the blocking is carried out
The blocking of illegal betting and gambling links has been executed using long-standing powers under the Information Technology Act, 2000, particularly Section 69A. This provision allows the government to direct internet service providers (ISPs), platforms and intermediaries to block public access to online content deemed illegal, harmful or against public interest.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), in coordination with enforcement agencies, has relied on these powers to issue blocking orders to ISPs and digital platforms. The action is further guided by the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, which mandate intermediaries to comply with lawful government directions.
Officials noted that while Section 69A has been used in the past to block betting apps and websites, the scale and speed of enforcement have significantly increased after the Online Gaming Act provided a clearer policy and legal framework.
Past instances of enforcement
The government’s latest action is part of a broader, multi-year effort to rein in illegal online gambling.
In 2023 and 2024, authorities blocked hundreds of betting apps linked to offshore operators, many of which were found to be advertising aggressively during major sporting events like the Indian Premier League (IPL). Investigations revealed that several platforms were routing payments through dubious channels, bypassing Indian financial regulations.
In October 2024, the Centre directed ISPs to block over 300 illegal gambling websites in a single operation after intelligence agencies flagged coordinated networks operating from Southeast Asia. Around the same time, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) attached assets worth hundreds of crores linked to illegal betting syndicates using online platforms to launder money.
Several states, including Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Karnataka, have also pushed for stricter controls after reporting a surge in complaints related to online betting losses, including cases involving students and young professionals.
Youth at the centre of policy concerns
One of the primary drivers behind the government’s tough stance is the vulnerability of young users. Experts have warned that the gamified design of betting apps, combined with instant payments, flashy rewards and influencer marketing creates a high risk of addiction.
Government data and independent studies have shown that a significant proportion of users on illegal betting platforms fall within the 18-30 age group. Many are first-time earners or students, making them particularly susceptible to financial ruin.
Officials say the new enforcement push is also intended to send a strong message to advertisers, celebrities and digital creators who promote illegal betting platforms, often without disclosing risks or legality.
The government has consistently clarified that it is not opposed to online gaming as a whole. Skill-based games and legally compliant platforms are permitted, provided they follow regulatory norms, avoid exploitative practices and do not involve prohibited betting or wagering.
The Online Gaming Act seeks to draw a firm line between legitimate gaming and illegal gambling, ensuring that innovation and entrepreneurship in the gaming sector are not stifled while protecting users from harm.
Officials indicated that enforcement against illegal betting and gambling platforms will continue, with more blocking orders expected in the coming months. Authorities are also working with payment service providers, app stores and social media platforms to prevent illegal apps from resurfacing under new names or domains.
With over 7,800 illegal websites already blocked and hundreds more under scrutiny, the Centre’s message is clear: online gambling that exploits users and operates outside the law will face zero tolerance.
