Govt blocks access for 242 betting, gambling sites

New Delhi: In the latest action against illegal betting and gambling websites, government has blocked more than 242 such websites, official sources said on Friday. The Centre has, so far taken down 7,800 illegal platforms, with enforcement actions escalating after the passage of the Online Gaming Act in August, last year.

Section 69A of the I-T Act empowers the government to block access to illegal websites or links. Between 2022 and June 2025, 1,524 betting and gambling websites and mobile apps were blocked.

But the scrutiny has increased since August last year, when the Centre moved to impose a banket ban on all online games with a monetary component of real money ganes, citing they lead to suicides due to financial losses besides addiction among children and the youth.


The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 drafted by the ministry of electronics and IT also cited sovereign threats such as cybercrime, terror incitement and financing as well as money laundering through digital wallets and cryptocurrencies. Also, 450 million Indians losing ₹20,000 crore annually due to real money games, government sources had estimated then.

Many gaming platforms operate from offshore jurisdictions, as a result regulating them presents challenges in terms of extra-territorial jurisdiction and inter-state inconsistencies.

"Today's action reflects the government's commitment to protect users especially youth, and to curb financial and social harm caused by illegal online betting and gambling platforms," a person in the know said.