Key Takeaways
- Indian authorities have shut down 8,376 URLs associated with online gambling and betting through March 28, 2026
- More than 4,800 blocking actions occurred following implementation of the Online Gaming Act, 2025
- Penalties for illegal betting include imprisonment ranging from 1 to 7 years under current legislation
- Research indicates offshore gambling platform participation increased from 68.3% to 82% following the prohibition
- India’s offshore gambling sector is valued at approximately $20 billion or higher
The Indian government has taken down over 8,376 digital platforms linked to online gambling and betting activities. Officials from the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology disclosed this information during a Lok Sabha session on April 1, 2026.
These enforcement statistics reflect blocking measures implemented through March 28, 2026. The disclosure came as a response to parliamentary inquiries regarding offshore digital gaming operations within Indian borders.
A significant portion—over 4,800 URLs—were eliminated following the enactment of the Online Gaming Act, 2025. This legislation prohibits online money-based gaming and represents a cornerstone of governmental efforts to combat digital gambling.
The enforcement campaign relies upon multiple legislative frameworks. The IT Act, 2000 alongside IT Rules, 2021 mandate intermediaries, including international platforms, to maintain compliance with due diligence standards and restrict illegal material.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 contributes additional enforcement mechanisms. This statute criminalizes unsanctioned betting and gambling activities, establishing punishment ranging from one to seven years imprisonment, supplemented by monetary penalties.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 extends restrictions even further. It prohibits online money gaming alongside associated financial transfers and promotional activities.
Tax Regulations Strengthen Government Control
Taxation frameworks also serve as enforcement instruments. The Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 establishes a 28% GST rate on gambling operations. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence maintains authority to disable unregistered or international gambling websites.
Combined, these regulatory instruments create the legal foundation supporting India’s extensive campaign targeting online betting services. Authorities have cited these statutes to validate blocking thousands of domains.
However, the data reveals a paradoxical situation. Notwithstanding extensive enforcement measures, offshore gambling participation throughout India seems to be expanding rather than contracting.
Research conducted by CUTS International in Delhi NCR during December 2025 demonstrated that offshore platform engagement climbed from 68.3% prior to restrictions to 82% afterward. This constitutes a 20.1% proportional increase.
Identical research revealed that daily platform access surged from 3.4% to 42.3%. Participants were additionally dedicating more time to these services and elevating their monthly expenditures.
Users Circumvent Restrictions via Mirror Sites and Payment Apps
Participants discovered workarounds through mirror domains and indigenous payment systems like UPI. These mechanisms enabled persistent access to prohibited platforms notwithstanding governmental interventions.
Additional CUTS research conducted in Tamil Nadu during January 2026 documented a 15.2% elevation in offshore platform engagement following restrictions. The pattern extended beyond individual geographic areas.
The magnitude of offshore operations emerged during a MediaNama panel discussion held in September 2025. Dhruv Garg, a partner at IGAP, calculated the offshore gaming marketplace at a conservative $20 billion valuation.
Garg emphasized that capital was exiting India through illegal channels. He noted that tax avoidance within this sector surpassed $4 billion, exceeding revenue generated by legitimate domestic gaming enterprises.
Current governmental statistics from March 2026 confirm that India’s enforcement initiative remains active, with 8,376 URLs disabled and over half implemented following the 2025 legislation’s activation.
