Illegal gambling platforms pose grave threat to Indian youth: Report

A report by CUTS (Consumer Unity & Trust Society) International has raised alarm over the explosive growth of illegal online gambling platforms in India, warning of serious threats to minors, young adults, and national financial integrity. With estimated annual deposits nearing $100 billion, the report urges immediate regulatory intervention to combat this growing menace.

It reveals that from April 2024 to March 2025, the top 15 illegal gambling platforms garnered over 5.4 billion visits through 40 mirror sites.

“These operators are exploiting India’s advertisement and payment systems, siphoning off crores while putting Indian consumers at grave risk. The absence of regulatory safeguards has made India a fertile ground for these platforms,” said Pradeep Mehta, the secretary general of CUTS.

The report flags how illegal operators target vulnerable youth through immersive, high-stakes experiences, bypassing age and identity verification protocols. According to the report, few platforms use psychological tactics to lure sensation-seeking users, while some offshore players even accept cash-on-delivery payments allowing minors to gamble without digital access or oversight.

The report further states that a large chunk of user traffic - over 66% - comes via direct URLs or private channels, suggesting a high degree of brand familiarity and trust.

According to the report, illicit payment tactics include misuse of UPI, mule accounts, and sophisticated appsto move funds under the radar. While the Ministry of Finance has initiated investigations into nearly 700 offshore entities and blocked 357 sites, the report says much more needs to be done.

CUTS recommends a robust national framework backed by an inter-ministerial task force, collaboration with tech companies, public awareness campaigns, and behavioural research into gambling addiction. It also urges strong measures to monitor and block illegal websites and financial transactions. The report calls India’s current approach “manual and reactive.”

Published - June 01, 2025 09:33 pm IST