On January 16, 2026, the Government of India blocked access to 242 illegal betting and gambling website links, marking a significant escalation in its ongoing crackdown on unauthorized online money gaming.
The action was carried out by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) under the authority of Section 69A of the IT Act and the recently enacted Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025.
Enforcement Statistics & Impact
The latest wave of blocking orders has pushed the total number of banned illegal platforms to record levels as the government tightens its grip on offshore and unauthorized operators.
- Total Blocked: Over 7,800 illegal betting and gambling websites have been taken down to date.
- Recent Acceleration: Enforcement has intensified significantly since the Online Gaming Act (passed in August 2025) came into full force in October 2025.
- Historical Context: Between 2022 and mid-2025, roughly 1,500 sites were blocked; however, the new legislation has allowed for thousands more to be shuttered in just the last few months of 2025 and early 2026.
Key Reasons for the Crackdown
Official sources state that the primary objective of these bans is to prevent “financial and social harm” caused by predatory platforms.
- Protecting Vulnerable Users: The government cited a rise in addiction and massive financial losses among the youth.
- Mental Health Concerns: The crackdown follows tragic reports of suicides linked to debts incurred on real-money gaming sites.
- Sovereign Security: The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 identifies these platforms as conduits for money laundering, terror financing, and cybercrime.
- Offshore Evasion: Many of these sites operate from foreign jurisdictions and frequently change domain names to evade Indian regulations, requiring constant vigilance and “active monitoring” by MeitY.
The Legal Landscape in 2026
The legal framework for online gaming in India has been completely overhauled over the past year:
| Legislation | Status | Function |
| Online Gaming Act (2025) | Active | Outlaws all money-based online games where users wager real currency. |
| Section 69A (IT Act) | Active | Provides the power to block apps and sites deemed a threat to public order or security. |
| GST Amendment | 28% Rate | Imposes a 28% tax on the full face value of bets for any remaining legal segments. |
“The action reflects the government’s commitment to protect users, especially the youth, from the financial stress and addictive patterns fostered by these illegal offshore platforms.” — Government Source.
