SRINAGAR: The Union government has outlined a multi-pronged legal and enforcement framework to regulate online gaming and curb the risks of addiction, financial fraud, and money laundering, with more than 1,500 betting, gambling, and gaming websites blocked over the past three years.
In a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada said the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 — amended in April 2023 — provide specific provisions to regulate online gaming intermediaries. These intermediaries must register with designated Self-Regulatory Bodies (SRBs), which verify whether a game qualifies as a permissible online real money game.
The government has issued 1,524 blocking orders between 2022 and June 2025 under Section 69A of the IT Act. Provisions also allow blocking offshore platforms operating without GST registration under the Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence has been empowered to direct intermediaries to disable access to unregistered platforms.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, now imposes jail terms of one to seven years for unauthorised betting and gambling. The Consumer Protection Act, 2019, empowers the Central Consumer Protection Authority to act against misleading advertisements, including surrogate promotions by celebrities and influencers. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has repeatedly warned media platforms and advertisers — most recently in April 2024 — to stop carrying misleading betting ads.
Public advisories, including those from the Ministry of Education, have targeted parents and teachers on safe online gaming practices for children. Citizens can report online fraud via the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal or toll-free helpline 1930.
Prasada said these measures are designed to plug the regulatory gaps in the online gaming sector and protect consumers, though “police” and “public order” remain state subjects under the Constitution.
