New Delhi, March 20 In a major crackdown against illegal gambling and betting websites, the government has blocked 300 such websites and applications, sources said on Friday.
The blocked sites and apps are related to online sports betting platforms; online casinos offering slots, roulette, and live dealer tables; and betting exchanges functioning like peer-to-peer betting marketplaces.
Action has also been taken against satta/matka gambling networks, as well as real-money card and casino game apps.
Sources said the government has blocked 300 such websites and applications as part of its crackdown on illegal gambling and betting websites.
One source stated that a total of approximately 8,400 such websites have been blocked so far, and that the majority (around 4,900 out of 8,400) were blocked after the passage of the Online Gaming Act.
The Centre has consistently maintained its commitment to ensuring a safe, responsible, and accountable online gaming ecosystem in the country.
In this context, the government enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, with the goal of promoting innovation in e-sports and online social games, and prohibiting online money games.
The Gaming Act comprehensively prohibits all forms of online money games, including games of chance, games of skill, or any combination. It also prohibits the advertising, promotion, and facilitation of such games, as well as the processing of related financial transactions through banks or payment systems.
The Act further empowers authorities to block access to unlawful platforms under the provisions of the Information Technology Act, 2000. The Gaming Act prescribes stringent penalties for violations.
Under this, offering online money games or facilitating financial transactions for such online money games may attract imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to Rs 1 crore, or both.
Moreover, a second or subsequent conviction for offering or facilitating online money games attracts a minimum of three years of imprisonment (which may extend up to 5 years), and a fine of a minimum of Rs 1 crore (which may extend up to Rs 2 crore).
Advertising such online money games is punishable with imprisonment of up to two years or a fine of up to Rs 50 lakh or both. Subsequent convictions for advertising such online money games involve more severe consequences.
In addition to this, the Gaming Act also provides for the recognition and promotion of e-sports and online social games, the establishment of the Online Gaming Authority of India, a transparent registration mechanism for online games, a grievance-redressal system for users, and safeguards against prohibited online money games and associated harms.
The national-level Online Gaming Authority will be responsible for classifying and registering permissible games, determining whether a game constitutes a money game, issuing codes of practice, and addressing public grievances.
