Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: The government has intensified action against illegal online gambling and betting platforms, blocking around 300 websites and applications in the latest round, according to official sources. The move is part of an ongoing enforcement drive that has gathered pace after the passage of the Online Gaming Act, which laid down a clearer framework to curb unlawful real-money gaming and betting activities.Govt sources said the blocked platforms include online sports betting websites, offshore casinos offering games such as slots and roulette, betting exchanges operating as peer-to-peer marketplaces, satta and matka networks, and real-money card and casino gaming apps. Many of these platforms were found to be operating without authorisation and targeting Indian users through mirror sites and mobile applications.Officials indicated that enforcement agencies have been working with internet service providers and intermediaries to identify and disable access to such platforms. The action is also linked to concerns around financial fraud, money laundering and user protection, particularly involving younger users accessing these services through mobile devices.Data shared by sources shows that a total of around 8,400 illegal gambling and betting websites have been blocked so far. Of these, nearly 4,900 were taken down after the Online Gaming Act came into effect, indicating a sharper enforcement push in recent months.The Online Gaming Act, cleared last year, introduced provisions to regulate real-money online gaming, including due diligence requirements for platforms and stricter action against illegal operators. Recent steps also follow advisories issued to states and enforcement agencies to tighten monitoring of online betting networks.Officials said the crackdown will continue, with more platforms under review for possible blocking.
