India Supreme Court Reviews Online Gambling Ban Plea

The Supreme Court of India has formally requested assistance from the central government regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that seeks to impose a nationwide prohibition on online gambling and betting platforms, which allegedly operate under the guise of social and e-sports games.

A bench comprising Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan instructed the petitioner’s counsel to share a copy of the PIL with government representatives. The court also requested Additional Solicitor General V.C. Bharathi to assist at the next hearing, scheduled two weeks from now. “We request VC Bharathi to look into the petition and assist us on the next date of hearing. List after two weeks,” the bench said in its order, according to PTI.

Details of the PIL

Filed by the think tank Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), the petition names six respondents, including four Union ministries—Electronics and Information Technology, Information and Broadcasting, Finance, and Youth Affairs and Sports—as well as Apple Inc. and Google India Pvt. Ltd.

The PIL seeks a ban on online gambling platforms and calls for directives to the RBI, NPCI, and UPI platforms to block transactions involving unregistered gaming apps. It also urges investigation and tax recovery by the CBI, Enforcement Directorate, and Interpol against offshore operators allegedly owing more than ₹2 lakh crore in unpaid taxes.

According to the plea, online gambling is causing widespread social, economic, and psychological harm. “Several cases are contested in high courts wherein affidavits were filed by the government and gaming platforms. Upon analysing the same, it is reported that more than 65 crore persons are playing such games, creating an annual business of more than ₹1.8 lakh crores for these platforms in India,” the PIL states.

The petition further alleges that around half of the population of India engages with online games, which it claims are adversely affecting society, the economy, and national security. It also seeks the protection of minors’ data collected by gaming companies and criticizes celebrity endorsements of these apps, which, according to the PIL, contribute to cyber frauds, addiction, mental health issues, and suicides.

“The devastating impact of online betting and gambling are endorsed in the objectives of the newly passed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. As per the IT Minister's speech in Parliament, the Bill was introduced to ensure the welfare of society and to prevent the serious evil that is creeping into society,” PTI reported.

Regulatory Context and Upcoming Rules

The PIL coincides with recent government efforts to formalize online gaming regulations. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 , which received presidential assent in August, enforces a ban on real-money gaming while establishing a legal framework for social and e-sports games. Draft rules released by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) on October 2, 2025, clarify the distinction between games of skill and those involving monetary stakes. These rules are open for public consultation until October 31.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw emphasized that the government consulted extensively with stakeholders before finalizing the law. The legislation is intended to curb illegal gaming activities while supporting legitimate e-sports and social gaming.

Source:

“Plea seeks nationwide ban on online gambling, SC taps Centre: What PIL demands from govt, Apple, Google”, hindustantimes.com, October 22, 2025