Supreme Court Sounds Alarm: Will India Ban Online Gambling to End National Crisis?

The Supreme Court of India called for the Centre’s assistance in addressing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), urging a nationwide ban on online gambling and betting platforms. These platforms, often disguised as social or e-sports games, are accused of causing widespread societal and economic damage. The bench, comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan, directed the petitioner’s counsel to share the PIL with the central government’s counsel, scheduling the next hearing in two weeks to deliberate further.

The PIL demands stringent measures, including prohibiting monetary transactions by unregistered gaming apps through the RBI, NPCI, and UPI platforms, and blocking unlawful betting sites under Section 69A of the IT Act. It also seeks tax recovery and investigations via Interpol, CBI, and ED against offshore gaming companies, which allegedly owe over Rs 2 lakh crore in unpaid taxes. Additionally, the plea emphasizes protecting minors’ data collected by these platforms, highlighting the vulnerability of young users to exploitative practices.

CASC’s petition underscores the scale of the issue, claiming that over 65 crore Indians—nearly half the population—are engaged in online gaming, generating an annual business of Rs 1.8 lakh crore for these platforms. The PIL argues that these activities, deemed unlawful in most Indian states, contribute to financial ruin, mental health disorders, and suicides, exacerbated by endorsements from prominent cricketers and film stars. It also raises concerns about potential money laundering facilitated by opaque gaming algorithms, posing risks to national security.

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The plea aligns with the objectives of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which aims to promote safe digital recreation while curbing harmful practices. It urges the Union Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, Information and Broadcasting, Finance, and Youth Affairs and Sports, alongside app store operators Apple Inc. and Google India Pvt. Ltd., to harmonize regulations with state laws to eliminate disguised gambling platforms. The PIL describes the unchecked growth of such platforms as a “national crisis” with devastating societal impacts.

As the Supreme Court prepares to revisit the case, the outcome could reshape India’s digital landscape. The call for a nationwide ban and robust regulatory enforcement reflects growing concerns over the social, economic, and security implications of online gambling. With the government’s response pending, this legal battle highlights the urgent need to balance technological innovation with public welfare, ensuring protection against the pervasive harms of unregulated online gaming.

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