The Supreme Court of India is actively seeking the government’s support in addressing a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that calls for a nationwide prohibition on online gambling and betting platforms. Many of these platforms are reportedly operating under the guise of legitimate social or e-sports games.
A bench comprising Justices JB Pardiwala and KV Viswanathan has directed the petitioner’s counsel to provide a copy of the PIL to the central government’s legal representative. The court plans to review the matter further in two weeks, requesting assistance from the government on the next hearing date.
The PIL was filed by the think tank Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC). It specifically requests directives for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and UPI platforms to block all monetary transactions involving unregistered gaming applications. Furthermore, the plea seeks the recovery of an estimated ₹2 lakh crore in unpaid taxes from offshore gaming companies through investigations by Interpol, the CBI, and the ED.
The petition also calls for a unified approach from key Union ministries – Electronics and Information Technology, Information and Broadcasting, Finance, and Youth Affairs and Sports. It urges them to harmonize the provisions of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, with existing state laws to effectively ban online gambling and betting games disguised as social or e-sports. The Act itself is designed to promote safe digital recreation while curbing harmful practices associated with online money games.
The CASC has highlighted the significant social and economic damage caused by these proliferating betting and gambling applications, stating that over 65 crore people are involved, generating an annual business of more than ₹1.8 lakh crore for these platforms. The petition argues that this unchecked growth poses a national crisis, affecting half of India’s population and leading to severe consequences like financial ruin, mental health deterioration, and even suicides. It specifically requests blocking orders under Section 69A of the IT Act against all unlawful betting sites and apps.
The PIL also seeks measures to protect the data of minors collected by these online gaming companies. It alleges that endorsements by prominent cricketers and film stars contribute to cyber fraud, addiction, and other severe social ills.