Today, On 4th November, The Supreme Court has sought the Centre’s response on a plea filed by an NGO demanding a nationwide ban on online gambling and betting platforms that allegedly operate under the guise of social and e-sports games, misleading users across India
New Delhi: The Supreme Court has issued a notice to the Union of India, requesting its response to a petition submitted by an NGO that seeks a nationwide ban on online gambling and betting platforms, which are allegedly masquerading as social and e-sports games.
A bench consisting of Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan has instructed that this plea be consolidated with a group of petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (Online Gaming Act).
The Court ordered,
“According to the petitioner, there are about two thousand apps as on date operating online relating to betting and gambling. The petitioner wants the government to take immediate action in this regard in larger public interest affecting the youth more particularly of the nation. Issue notice. Let an appropriate reply be filed to the petition,”
The NGO’s writ petition calls for the Union Government to interpret the provisions of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, and state laws in a manner that prohibits online gambling and betting games operating under the guise of social and e-sports platforms.
Additionally, the petition requests the Union to issue blocking orders under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, against all illegal betting and gambling platforms functioning in India.
It also advocates for the nationwide implementation of strict regulations akin to those in the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gaming Act, 2022, and the enforcement of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999, to tackle online gambling and betting activities.
Case Title: Centre for Accountability Systemic Change (CASC) & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.
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