Indian authorities intensified their response to unlawful online betting activity by removing 242 website links on January 17. Officials said this latest enforcement wave brings the overall number of shut-down platforms to more than 7,800 as the government continues to target online money gaming operations that operate outside the law and pose financial risks to users.
The action reflects a broader initiative introduced since the Online Gaming Act entered into force. Government representatives said the intervention intends to shield consumers from harmful gaming platforms and reduce the impact of unregulated services that have proliferated across the country. They also noted that the latest measures support ongoing efforts to counter predatory practices affecting younger individuals and other vulnerable groups.
Authorities have tied the increase in enforcement actions to new legal provisions adopted last year. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 secured parliamentary approval in August before receiving presidential assent. The legislation prohibits online money gaming in India and places restrictions on platforms that involve wagering, betting, and winnings that can be exchanged for cash. Officials confirmed that this category of gaming would no longer have domestic legal status once the framework becomes fully operational.
Public consultations on the draft PROG Rules, 2025 took place in October. Government sources said the draft drew about 2,500 responses during the comment window. Officials have not indicated when final rules will be issued. The draft rules create a formal distinction between skill-based social games and e-sportson one side and illegal money-based platforms on the other, which government representatives said would help clarify regulatory expectations for operators and users.
Regulatory Structure Planned for Online Gaming
One of the central institutional components of the framework is the planned Online Gaming Authority of India. The authority would serve as the primary regulatory body responsible for registering approved games, issuing compliance orders, and conducting inquiries. Officials said the regulator would maintain a national list of games permitted for operation, enforce compliance requirements, suspend or cancel registrations when necessary, impose financial penalties, and instruct financial service providers to block unlawful gaming activity. Officials also indicated that the authority would have powers comparable to civil courts in certain administrative functions.
Officials have consistently pointed to consumer protection as a key driver of the new law. Government briefings indicated that the Act intends to address the social and economic consequences of unregulated online money gaming, including financial losses borne by families and addiction-related risks associated with online wagering. Enforcement actions are meant to deter platforms from using claims of quick monetary gain to attract users.
Under the Act, companies offering unlawful online money gaming services face potential jail terms of up to three years and fines as high as ₹1 crore. Advertising illegal platforms can lead to imprisonment of up to two years and fines reaching ₹50 lakh. Authorities characterized the penalties as a tool to narrow access to betting platforms and limit their public promotion.
Consumer Protection and Industry Developments
Briefings also noted that the legislation acknowledges the growth of legitimate online gaming segments in India. E-sports and socially oriented skill-based games have been cited as contributors to technological and creative development, with officials indicating that the government intends to support these activities. Government representatives highlighted that international classifications, including recognition of gaming disorder as a health-related condition, underline concerns surrounding compulsive play despite negative personal implications.
Industry stakeholders participated in the consultation period and submitted recommendations for consideration. Officials said the government is currently reviewing the input. The draft rules outline criteria separating lawful game formats from platforms that enable wagering or cash-out functions, reinforcing restrictions against money-based online gaming.
Source:
Indian Government Shuts Down 242 Illegal Gambling Website Links, news.worldcasinodirectory.com, January 20, 2026
