Gambling Crackdown! Centre Blocks 357 Illegal Online Gaming Platforms, 700 More Next
This move, announced today, comes as part of a broader effort to curb tax evasion and unregulated betting, with approximately 700 additional entities currently under scrutiny ahead of the IPL season.
In a decisive crackdown on illicit online gambling, the Central Government, through the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) and in collaboration with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has blocked 357 websites linked to illegal offshore online money gaming platforms.
This move, announced today, comes as part of a broader effort to curb tax evasion and unregulated betting, with approximately 700 additional entities currently under scrutiny ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) season.
The blocked platforms, operating in violation of Indian laws, were shut down under Section 69 of the Information Technology Act, 2000, targeting non-compliant offshore operators offering betting and gambling services.
The DGGI has also provisionally attached around 2,000 bank accounts linked to these entities, intensifying efforts to dismantle their financial networks. The operation follows the Centre’s recent disclosure that it issued orders to block 1,298 online gambling websites and apps between 2022 and 2024, signaling a sustained campaign against such activities.
With the IPL kicking off today, authorities are particularly focused on offshore platforms that exploit major sporting events to attract users. These illegal operators, often based outside India, evade taxes and regulations, posing risks of money laundering and economic loss.
The government’s actions aim to protect consumers and bolster the legal gaming industry, which faces unfair competition from these shadowy entities.
As investigations continue, the fate of the 700 platforms under the scanner hangs in balance, marking a pivotal moment in India’s fight against digital gambling rackets.
