Government Blocks 300 Betting and Gambling Websites
A ban on real-money gaming was imposed in the country last year. Since then, the Central Government has cracked down on illegally operating betting and gambling websites. Recently, the government blocked numerous websites and apps associated with betting, online casinos, and gambling.
A media report indicates that this campaign was launched against platforms linked to *satta* (illegal betting) and *matka* networks, as well as real-money card and casino gaming apps. In total, the government has blocked 8,400 such websites. Of these, approximately 4,900 websites were shut down following the enactment of the Online Gaming Act. Earlier this year, the government blocked 242 illegal gambling and betting websites. Prior to this, many websites operating betting rackets under the guise of gaming were also shut down.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has classified gaming addiction as a medical disorder. The WHO noted that this addiction impairs an individual’s self-control and leads them to neglect essential daily activities. During the hearing of a case filed in the Supreme Court challenging the ban on online real-money gaming, the government stated that online gaming platforms had been aggressively marketed through celebrities and social media influencers. This significantly expanded the reach and impact of online gaming.
To address this issue, the ‘Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act’ was enacted last year. This legislation stipulates a penalty of up to three years in prison or a fine of up to ₹1 crore for those found guilty of involvement in online real-money gaming. Last year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also described this ban as a major decision. He clarified that it is not online gaming itself that is problematic, but rather the element of gambling associated with it. Modi remarked that, under the Online Gaming Act, “Online games are having a negative impact on our students. A large number of people are falling into debt due to this, and some have even committed suicide.” He stated that many families have been ruined due to financial difficulties associated with online games. He further noted that while many online applications are presented as games, they are, in fact, linked to gambling.
