Hyderabad: The Centre launched a nationwide crackdown on online betting and illegal gambling, blocking 242 betting and gambling websites that posed a growing threat to society.
The Union government said it also took action against nearly 8,000 websites that promoted online betting and gambling activities across the country. Officials stated that many such platforms targeted youth and pushed them towards addiction and financial distress. As a result, the Centre decided to enforce strict measures to curb these illegal activities.
Authorities observed that online betting and gambling led to severe financial losses among young users. Families slipped into debt, while several households faced economic hardship. Officials said these trends turned illegal betting into a serious social concern. Therefore, the government stepped in to protect vulnerable sections, especially young people.
Online betting curbed through stricter laws and digital surveillance
The Centre introduced the Online Gaming Act, 2023, in October last year to regulate the sector. Through the law, the government banned cash-linked games and imposed strict controls on real-money games. Following these measures, several platforms stopped offering real-money gaming services. Companies such as WinZO and Nazara Technologies suspended such games after the new rules came into force.
Under the supervision of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, officials tracked illegal betting platforms operating from both domestic and foreign servers. The ministry monitored websites that promoted online betting through social media and digital advertisements. Based on these findings, authorities initiated action against thousands of platforms.
Officials said surveillance efforts would continue to identify new illegal betting operations. The Centre reiterated that it would take further steps to prevent the spread of online betting and gambling activities that endanger youth and undermine social stability.