Supreme Court seeks Centre’s response on plea to ban illegal betting apps

Hyderabad: The Supreme Court of India on Thursday agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) demanding a comprehensive ban on both online and offline illegal betting platforms, amid rising concerns about their social impact.

A bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N. Kotiswar Singh issued a notice to the Central Government, directing it to respond to the petition filed by evangelist and political activist Dr. K.A. Paul. The PIL argues that unregulated betting applications are contributing to widespread financial and psychological distress, particularly among young people.

Dr. Paul cited distressing figures, including over 1,000 suicides reportedly linked to betting-related losses in Telangana alone. He accused several film industry figures and social media influencers of endorsing such platforms, thereby amplifying their reach and influence.

The petitioner urged the court to direct the Centre to introduce robust legislation governing online gaming and fantasy sports, arguing that existing laws are inadequate to tackle the scale of the issue. He estimated that up to 30 crore Indians may be entangled in these betting ecosystems.

Justice Surya Kant, while acknowledging the petition’s urgency, observed the challenges of enforcing a complete ban, especially given the voluntary nature of participation in betting. He noted that legislative intervention might not suffice without broader awareness and enforcement efforts.

The court has not yet extended notices to state governments, choosing for now to focus solely on the Centre’s reply. Further hearings are expected in the coming weeks.

The case brings renewed attention to India’s evolving online betting landscape and the legal and regulatory gaps surrounding it.