Govt blocks 300 betting sites as crackdown on illegal online gaming intensifies

The Centre has intensified its crackdown on illegal online gambling by blocking around 300 betting websites and mobile applications, according to official sources. The move is part of a broader enforcement drive aimed at curbing unlawful real-money gaming activities across the country.

The blocked platforms include online sports betting sites, casino-style applications offering games such as slots and roulette, and betting exchanges operating as peer-to-peer marketplaces. Authorities have also taken action against satta and matka networks, along with real-money card and gaming apps.

This latest action is linked to tighter enforcement following the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which provides a clearer legal framework to regulate online gaming and prohibit betting-based platforms.

Officials said the crackdown has significantly expanded in recent months. With the addition of these 300 platforms, the total number of illegal betting and gambling websites blocked so far has reached around 8,400. A large portion of these, nearly 4,900, were taken down after the new law came into force.

The government has maintained that the action is aimed at protecting users, especially young people, from financial risks, fraud, and addiction linked to unregulated online betting platforms. The law also prescribes strict penalties, including imprisonment and fines, for those operating or promoting such platforms.

Despite the crackdown, enforcement challenges remain. Illegal platforms often shift domains or operate from offshore locations, making it difficult for authorities to completely eliminate access.

The latest move signals the Centre’s continued push to tighten oversight of India’s rapidly growing online gaming ecosystem while drawing a clear line between legitimate gaming and illegal betting operations.