Betting has become a household problem not only for the players but also for their families. Recently, many people in India have started playing games and placing bets on online apps. These apps let users gamble money on things like cricket, poker, and other games. The growth of these betting apps has been very fast, especially among young people. However, many problems have come with this rise, such as addiction, losing a lot of money, and illegal activities. Because of these issues, the Indian government has decided to take strict action to stop these apps from running in the country.
Why Are Betting Apps a Problem?
Betting apps can be addictive and easy to misuse. Many people think they can win big money quickly, but often they end up losing more than they have. This causes financial troubles not just for the player but also for their families. In some cases, loss is so high that people end up selling jewelry and houses, which often leads to becoming a criminal for money, and some have committed suicide because of losing money in betting. There might be a chance that these betting apps can also be used for illegal activities like money laundering or helping criminals. Since many of these apps are run from outside India, it becomes hard to keep track of them or stop them.
Jadeja vs Stokes: The Swordsman and the Showman Raising the Bar in Test Cricket : Ban on Betting Apps in India and the Government’s Legal ActionsWhat Does the New Law Say?
In August 2025, the Indian government passed a new law called the Online Gaming Bill. This law makes it illegal to run or use apps that let people gamble real money online. It includes all apps where users bet money on games, whether they are inside India or outside, but available to Indian users. This means popular apps like Dream11 and MPL can no longer operate legally in India.
Besides banning these apps, the law also stops companies and people from advertising or promoting betting apps on TV, social media, and all other platforms. It is done to reduce the number of people getting attracted to gambling, especially young people who are easily influenced.
What Happens if Someone Breaks the Law?
The new law comes with strict punishments. If someone runs or helps run a betting app, they can face up to 3 years in jail and have to pay fines up to 1 crore rupees.
People who promote these apps, like celebrities or influencers, can get jailed for 2 years and fined up to 50 lakh rupees.
Banks and payment companies that help transfer money for these apps can also get into trouble and must stop supporting such transactions.
Internet service providers must block access to these apps and websites, and app stores like Google Play and Apple Store may remove gambling apps to follow the law.
Also, the police and government officials have extraordinary power to search and seize anything related to illegal betting without much delay, like servers, computers, and money in bank accounts.
How Will This Affect People and the Industry?
This law will have a big impact on the online gaming and betting industry in India. While the industry was growing and making a lot of money, the government believed the social harm caused by these apps was too high. Many people have lost savings due to gambling addiction, which affects their families’ well-being.
At the same time, the law allows people to continue playing games that don’t involve betting real money, so people can still enjoy gaming as a fun activity without risking their finances.
What Challenges Are Ahead?
Even though the law is very strict, it will be tough to stop illegal betting apps fully. Some sites or apps might keep changing their names or addresses to avoid being blocked. Some people may try to use underground or secret platforms to gamble, which will be harder for authorities to catch.
The government will need to work hard with tech companies, financial institutions, and law enforcement to ensure the ban is effective. They must also educate people about the dangers of gambling to help reduce addiction and economic problems.
Conclusion
The ban on betting apps in India shows that the government is serious about keeping people safe from the dangers of online gambling. With brutal punishments for those who run the apps, promote them, or help with money, and by stopping all ads, India wants to make the internet safer for everyone.
Though the online gaming industry will face some problems, this law makes sure that playing games stays fun and safe by allowing games without betting and stopping harmful gambling apps. It’s a fair way to protect people and families without hurting digital entertainment.
