The Indian government has taken strong action against illegal online betting and gambling by blocking hundreds of websites. This move is part of a wider effort to protect users, especially young people, from financial harm and online fraud. So far, nearly 8,000 unregulated betting and gambling platforms have been shut down after new gaming laws came into effect.
India Bans 242 Illegal Betting and Gambling Websites
On January 16, 2026, the Union government ordered the blocking of 242 illegal betting and gambling websites. These links were taken offline under strict rules of the newly enforced Online Gaming Act. This law aims to curb websites that offer real-money gaming and betting opportunities without proper approval.
Total Blocked Platforms Since Last Year
Government agencies say that the recent action is part of a larger campaign against illegal betting platforms. After the Online Gaming Act was passed, authorities stepped up enforcement. So far, over 7,800 illegal betting and gambling sites have been banned in India.
Why Is the Government Taking Action?
Officials say the crackdown has two main goals:
Protect players from addiction and fraud: Illegal betting sites can cause big financial losses and encourage addictive behavior among users.
Stop social harm and financial risk: These sites often operate without regulation, exposing people, especially youth to money loss and scams.
The Online Gaming Act not only bans unauthorized betting, it also regulates online gaming activities and restricts advertisements related to real-money games.
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With this law now in force, the government plans to tighten monitoring of online gaming platforms. Sites that break the rules could face fines or legal penalties. Players are not usually punished, but site operators and promoters can face action if they ignore the ban.
The aim is to build a safer online gaming environment in India, while encouraging legitimate games like e-sports and social gaming that don’t involve real money.