India Blocks 242 Illegal Betting Sites as Online Gaming Enforcement Expands

India has blocked another 242 illegal betting and gambling websites as part of a wider effort to clean up unauthorised online gaming. Government sources said the latest action brings the total number of blocked platforms to more than 7,800.

The takedowns follow the rollout of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which took effect on October 1, 2025 and bans real money betting and gambling nationwide.

Good to Know

• India has now blocked more than 7,800 illegal betting sites
• Real money gaming is banned under the new law
• Enforcement targets operators, not individual players

Officials said monitoring stepped up after the law came into force, with authorities tracking websites, digital ads, social media promotions and influencer marketing tied to illegal betting. Many of the newly blocked sites were offering real money wagering in direct violation of the Act.

The legislation received presidential approval from Droupadi Murmu in August 2025 after passing both houses of Parliament earlier in the year. While the law bans wagering for money, it still allows esports and social games that do not involve cash stakes, provided platforms follow regulatory guidelines.

Enforcement Focuses on Operators Not Players

Government officials stressed that users are not the target of enforcement. Players who take part in money based online games will not face penalties, they said. Instead, action focuses on platform operators, advertisers, promoters and financial backers connected to illegal betting.

Penalties under the law include financial fines and other legal measures. Authorities said the approach aims to disrupt the business models behind illegal platforms rather than punish individuals.

PROGA also establishes a National Online Gaming Commission to oversee licensing, compliance and grievance handling for permitted platforms. The law replaces a patchwork of state rules with a single national framework.

Offshore Sites Remain a Challenge

Officials acknowledged that enforcement remains difficult. Many illegal operators rely on tactics such as rapid URL switching to stay online. Offshore betting platforms have also been accused of using mule bank accounts to move funds out of India.

Former industry executives and policy analysts estimate illegal betting volumes reach hundreds of crores of rupees each month, highlighting the scale of the issue.

Authorities said the continued crackdown reflects concern over financial harm, addiction risks and exposure of minors to illegal gambling. Officials added that recent actions show a broader push to protect users, especially young people, as online gaming continues to grow.

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