New Delhi, March 20 (NationPress) The Government has taken decisive steps by blocking an additional 300 illegal gambling and betting websites, along with various apps, as part of a significant enforcement action against online sports betting platforms and online casinos. These platforms typically feature games such as slots, roulette, live dealer tables, and peer-to-peer betting exchanges, as confirmed by official sources on Friday.

The action also includes Satta/matka gambling networks and real-money card and casino game applications.

This latest enforcement has raised the total number of blocked websites involved in illegal betting and gambling to approximately 8,400, with around 4,900 of these being blocked since the introduction of the Online Gaming Act.

Passed by Parliament on August 21, 2025, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, represents a pivotal initiative aimed at protecting citizens from the hazards associated with online money games while also promoting and regulating other forms of online entertainment.

Effective from October 1, 2025, the new legislation imposes strict penalties for the offering or advertising of real-money games, including poker, rummy, and fantasy sports. Offenders could face up to three years in prison and hefty fines. Additionally, the law establishes the Online Gaming Authority of India to oversee the industry, encourage safe e-sports, and manage the prohibition of stake-based gaming.

The legislation seeks to mitigate addiction, financial hardship, and social issues caused by exploitative gaming platforms that lure users with false promises of rapid wealth. This reflects the government’s commitment to protect families while directing the digital economy towards secure and constructive development.

The global seriousness of this issue is recognized, with the World Health Organization classifying gaming disorder as a health condition in its International Classification of Diseases. It describes this condition as a pattern of play characterized by a loss of control, neglect of daily activities, and persistence despite harmful consequences, underscoring the need for decisive action in India.

Online money gaming platforms have inflicted widespread damage, leading families to lose their savings and causing addiction among young people. Tragically, financial strain associated with these games has even resulted in suicides. Recognizing these risks, the Government has responded with robust legislation.

Simultaneously, the law adopts a balanced perspective, acknowledging the online gaming sector as one of the most vibrant areas of the digital and creative economy, with ample opportunities for innovation, cognitive growth, job creation, technological progress, and global competitiveness. It promotes e-sports—organized competitive video games—and encourages safe online social and educational games, clearly distinguishing between beneficial digital recreation and exploitative betting, gambling, and fantasy money games.