Govt blocks 300 betting apps
The Union Government on Friday blocked 300 websites and applications related to betting. Authorities have also moved against satta and matka networks, along with card games with real-money and casino gaming apps.
The move is part of a broader effort to curb online gambling, to plug any financial leakages and strengthen oversight over digital gaming platforms operating in India. Industry experts say this decision could put nearly 2 lakh jobs at risk. The Government may also lose around INR 20,000 crore in tax revenue each year.
So far, the Government has blocked 8,400 such websites and applications. A majority, about 4,900, were blocked after passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which brought a near-total ban on real-money games including fantasy sports, poker and rummy. The reasons cited by the Government were high addiction rates and financial harm to citizens.
The 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. India’s online gaming market is currently worth around INR 32,000 crore (about $3.2 billion).
