Government blocks 300 “illegal” gambling and betting platforms

The Centre has blocked about 300 websites and applications for allegedly running illegal gambling and betting operations, taking the total number of prohibited websites so far to nearly 8,400, according to government sources.

The banned entities include sports betting portals, casino platforms offering slots and roulette, live dealer tables, betting exchanges functioning like peer-to-peer betting marketplaces, “satta/matka” gambling networks, and “real-money” cards and casino game applications.

A majority of such platforms, close to 4,900, have been blocked after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act came into force last year. The law passed by Parliament on August 21, 2025, is aimed at shielding citizens from the menace of online money games while promoting and regulating other kinds of online gaming activities.

“This legislation is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on misleading promises of quick wealth. It reflects the Government’s resolve to safeguard families while guiding the digital economy towards safe and constructive growth,” the government had earlier said.

It said that the World Health Organisation classifies gaming disorder as a health condition in its International Classification of Diseases, describing it as a pattern of play marked by loss of control, neglect of other daily activities, and persistence despite harmful consequences.

Earlier, Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Rajya Sabha that as per an estimate, 45 crore people were negatively affected by online money games and faced a loss of over ₹20,000 crore.

The government also found that some gaming platforms were being used for terror financing and illegal messaging, which compromises the country’s security.

The Information & Broadcasting Ministry had issued advisories in 2022, 2023, and 2024 to media platforms, advertisers, and influencers, cautioning against publishing or promoting misleading online betting advertisements.

The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, amended in April 2023, laid down norms for online gaming platforms, aimed at ensuring online gaming intermediaries did not share unlawful or illegal content on their networks. Section 69A of the IT Act empowers the government to block access to illegal websites or links.

Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Section 111 penalises unlawful economic activities, and cybercrimes and Section 112 prescribes punishment for unauthorised betting and gambling. Offenders face a minimum of one year imprisonment, extendable up to seven years, along with fines.

Illegal and offshore gaming platforms are regulated under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act. Online money gaming suppliers are required to register under the Simplified Registration Scheme. The Directorate General of Goods & Services Tax Intelligence is authorised to direct intermediaries to block access to unregistered or non-compliant gaming platforms.