Government blocks 300 ‘illegal’ gambling and betting platforms

NEW DELHI,20.03.2026: The government has intensified action against illegal online gambling and betting platforms, blocking around 300 websites and applications in the latest round, according to official sources. The move is part of an ongoing enforcement drive that has gathered pace after the passage of the Online Gaming Act, which laid down a clearer framework to curb unlawful real-money gaming and betting activities.
Govt sources said the blocked platforms include online sports betting websites, offshore casinos offering games such as slots and roulette, betting exchanges operating as peer-to-peer marketplaces, satta and matka networks, and real-money card and casino gaming apps. In total, about 8,400 such websites have been blocked so far, with the majority — around 4,900 — taken down after the passage of the Online Gaming Act, according to the sources. The move comes as the government steps up enforcement against illegal online betting and gambling operations, which have been under increasing scrutiny over concerns around consumer protection and financial risks.