New Delhi: The Government of India has intensified its crackdown on the illegal digital gambling ecosystem by blocking an additional 300 websites and mobile applications. This latest enforcement action, announced on Friday, March 20, 2026, targets a wide array of unauthorized platforms, including online sports betting sites, casino apps featuring live dealer tables, and peer-to-peer betting exchanges. The move is part of a broader strategy to eliminate Satta and Matka networks, as well as unregulated real-money card games that have proliferated in the grey market.
Since the enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, the scale of enforcement has accelerated significantly. Officials confirmed that approximately 8,400 platforms have been restricted to date, with nearly 4,900 of those takedowns occurring following the passage of the new legislation. This follows a previous wave of enforcement in January 2024, when 242 illegal links were purged. The government maintains that these measures are essential to shielding the youth from financial ruin and the predatory nature of platforms promising instant wealth.
The legislative framework for these actions was solidified last year when President Droupadi Murmu gave her assent to the Online Gaming Bill in August. The Act distinguishes between constructive digital entertainment and “online money games” that lead to addiction and social distress. By providing a clear regulatory structure, the government aims to guide the digital economy toward safe growth while treating gaming disorder—a condition recognized by the World Health Organization—as a serious public health concern.
Beyond blocking access, the Centre is focused on curbing the social harm caused by these unregulated entities. Many of the targeted apps operated without domestic licenses, often funnelling funds through opaque channels. The ongoing crackdown signals a zero-tolerance policy toward platforms that bypass Indian financial regulations or exploit vulnerable users through misleading advertisements. Security agencies continue to monitor the digital space for mirror sites and new iterations of previously banned applications.
