New Delhi: In a major push to curb the growing menace of online gambling, the Central government has blocked 242 additional illegal betting and gambling websites operating in India. With this latest action, the total number of such platforms shut down across the country has now crossed 7,800, officials confirmed.
The crackdown is part of the government’s sustained efforts to safeguard users—particularly young people—from the financial losses and social harm caused by illegal online betting and gambling. Between 2022 and 2025, the Centre has banned more than 14,000 online gaming and betting apps as part of this nationwide drive.
Authorities said the action was taken under the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Act, which aims to regulate the digital gaming ecosystem and prevent the negative social impact of betting-based online games. A key focus of the Online Gaming Promotion and Regulation Act, 2025, is to stop the exploitation of youth and curb addiction linked to unlawful gaming platforms.
Under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, illegal betting is a serious criminal offence, punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years along with a monetary fine, the government reiterated.
