The Indian government has banned 1,524 illegal gambling websites and apps since 2022, targeting unregistered and offshore platforms violating tax and gaming laws. New tax rules and legal measures aim to ensure safe and accountable online gaming. States retain jurisdiction over gambling-related offences under the Constitution.
The Indian government has blocked over 1,500 illegal gambling and betting websites and mobile applications in the past three and a half years, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada, informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday. The move is part of an intensified crackdown on offshore and unregulated online gambling platforms that often evade Indian tax laws and regulatory frameworks.
In a written response to a parliamentary query, Prasada stated, “From 2022 till June 2025, the government issued 1,524 blocking directions related to online betting, gambling, and gaming websites and mobile applications.”
This measure comes amid increasing concern about the proliferation of foreign-based gambling platforms targeting Indian users through digital advertisements, many of which use surrogate methods to mask their nature and bypass local scrutiny.
Central Authority and Legal Framework
The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), under the Ministry of Finance, has been empowered under the Information Technology Act, 2000 and the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Act to direct intermediaries—including internet service providers and platforms like Google and Meta—to block access to unregistered and illegal online gaming platforms.
Online gaming platforms, regardless of their country of origin, are required to register under the IGST Act to legally operate within India. Those that fail to comply with these requirements are subject to being blocked. The government reiterated that online gaming activities are liable to a Goods and Services Tax (GST) rate of 28 per cent, as applicable under Indian law.
“The policies of the Central government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet for its users,” the minister noted.
Income Tax and Regulatory Measures
To strengthen the financial regulatory net around the online gaming sector, the Finance Act, 2023 introduced an income tax at the rate of 30 per cent on net winnings from online games, effective from the assessment year 2024–25. This step is intended to bring greater clarity and compliance within the sector, especially for platforms facilitating monetary games and winnings.
The government has also been extending financial and advisory support to states and Union Territories to bolster the capabilities of their law enforcement agencies. This includes assistance through schemes dedicated to capacity building and cyber law enforcement.
State Jurisdiction and Constitutional Framework
It is important to note that “betting and gambling” are designated as State subjects under Entry 34 of the State List (List II) in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This means individual state legislatures hold the power to define and regulate betting and gambling-related offences.
According to constitutional provisions, specifically Article 246 read with Article 162, states have the autonomy to enact laws and enforce regulations concerning gambling activities. The Centre, however, retains jurisdiction when it comes to issues related to cross-border or unregistered online platforms that impact national revenue and digital security.
Digital Advertising and Surrogate Promotion
One of the pressing issues flagged by authorities is the aggressive digital advertising adopted by these illegal platforms. Many use major online advertising ecosystems, including Google and Meta, to promote their services—often disguised through surrogate advertisements that do not directly mention gambling but still redirect users to such platforms.
Such tactics pose a major challenge to Indian regulators, who must stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated methods used by these offshore platforms to circumvent detection and enforcement.
| Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav hints at election boycott over alleged voter list scam |
The Indian government’s move to block 1,524 illegal gambling websites and apps since 2022 reflects its strong stance against unregulated online gaming. By leveraging legal tools under the IT and GST Acts, introducing targeted taxation measures, and supporting state enforcement capacities, the Centre aims to create a transparent, accountable, and secure digital gaming environment in India.
