The Indian government has reportedly blocked 1,524 gambling websites from 2022 through June 2025. This was confirmed by the minister of state for electronics & IT, Jitin Prasada, in response to the Lok Sabha, detailing the effectiveness of state deterrence against illegal gambling.
India Continues to Crack Down on Illegal Gambling
The restrictive measures targeted online casinos, sweepstakes websites, sports betting platforms, and companies running gambling ads and dedicated websites. This shows a noticeable increase from February when union minister Ashwini Vaishnaw noted that 1,410 websites had been blocked.
India has faced issues with grey areas and illegal gambling for years, lacking a federal law to prohibit or allow most forms. Blocking orders were issued by the Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate has initiated a probe into illegal gambling platforms, focusing on tech giants like Google and Meta. India aims to ensure that Meta and Google are not aiding gambling operators in advertising, intentionally or unintentionally. While regulated markets like Italy, the Netherlands, and the UK have stronger legal measures, India addresses the issue from a grey market perspective.
The Enforcement Directorate is investigating whether the platforms facilitated illegal gambling. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has banned such ads on social media and Google, holding the companies responsible for oversight.
The investigation into illegal gambling promotions has targeted media outlets, hawala operators, celebrities, and app developers. Meta and Google executives are summoned to court on July 28, having been previously scheduled for July 21.
- SCCG Management. The Gambling Industry’s Global Connector. Access Here.
- Source: SCCGManagement.com