Supreme Court Takes Up Petition to Ban Illegal Betting Platforms

India’s Supreme Court has agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) urging a complete prohibition on illegal betting applications and stricter controls over the online gaming and fantasy sports sector. The petition raises serious questions about the legal grey areas exploited by these platforms and their impact on public welfare, especially among younger users.

The PIL claims that despite being marketed as games of skill, many digital platforms actually function as gambling services, sidestepping existing legal protections. It argues that most such games are predominantly chance-based and should thus fall under the Public Gambling Act of 1867, which prohibits gambling in many Indian jurisdictions.

At the heart of the petitioner’s argument is the lack of cohesive national legislation. Online betting and gaming are currently regulated at the state level, leading to inconsistencies and enforcement gaps. According to the PIL, this fragmented oversight has allowed unlawful platforms to flourish, often without any checks.

The petitioner emphasized the need for centralised regulatory action. With states varying widely in how they handle online betting, some have struggled to apply or enforce laws effectively, leaving consumers exposed to potentially exploitative platforms.

In response to the petition, the Supreme Court issued a formal notice to the Central Government, indicating its intention to deliberate the matter. This follows growing public concern about the social costs of unregulated online gambling.

A notable element of the petition is its reference to a First Information Report (FIR) filed earlier in Telangana. The FIR names 25 celebrities—including Bollywood stars, top cricketers, and prominent influencers—who allegedly endorsed illegal betting platforms. The petitioner argues that these endorsements gave the impression of legitimacy to operations that may promote addiction and financial harm.

The plea also highlights tragic real-life consequences, such as reports of suicides in Telangana linked to mounting betting-related debts. According to the petitioner, 24 individuals took their lives after falling into financial ruin from online betting losses.

The petition was filed by an individual who identifies as a Peace Ambassador and Nobel Peace Prize nominee across multiple countries, including the US, Norway, Sudan, and India. The petitioner also claims to have a history of humanitarian work, including rescuing over 300 orphans and street children.

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While the PIL targets betting apps directly, it also reflects broader concerns about the state of India’s digital gaming laws. The Supreme Court’s willingness to hear the plea comes amid ongoing debates around taxation, regulatory oversight, and the blurred lines between skill-based gaming and gambling.

The petition argues that the matter at hand goes beyond gambling alone. As the document states, it is “not just about gambling” but about “protecting consumers, especially the young and vulnerable, from being exploited under the pretext of harmless entertainment.”

The case could lead to far-reaching implications for how India governs its rapidly growing online gaming sector, currently estimated to include more than 140 million active players. It also brings into focus the role of celebrity influence in normalising risky financial behavior and the importance of advertising accountability in digital spaces.

Source:

, economictimes.indiatimes.com, May 23, 2025.