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A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court has brought the Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) and several high-profile celebrities under scrutiny for allegedly promoting illegal online gambling platforms. The PIL will be heard by division bench of Chief Justice Sheel Nagu and Justice Sumeet Goel on April 30.

Advocate Davinder Singh has sought immediate judicial intervention to curb what he describes as the rampant and unchecked promotion of illegal betting apps such as Fairplay, 1xBet, Parimatch, Betway, Stake, Lotus365, and SkyExchange.

The petition (a copy of which is with Storyboard18) states that ASCI, the industry self-regulatory body, is failing to act against misleading advertisements. The petitioner argues that ASCI has not fulfilled its mandate, by allowing celebrity endorsements that glamorize and legitimize these illegal platforms.

The petition states, "ASCI has failed to monitor and take timely action against misleading advertisements promoting gambling in violation of its Code and the Consumer Protection Act".

Citing Sections 21 and 89 of the Act, the PIL demands prosecution and penal action against endorsers, including actors Ranbir Kapoor, Kiara Advani, Esha Gupta, Urvashi Rautela, Jacqueline Fernandez, and singers like Badshah and Karan Aujla. These endorsements, the petition claims, mislead consumers, particularly vulnerable youth, by portraying gambling as safe and rewarding.

“The endorsements create a false legitimacy and have devastating consequences for impressionable audiences,” the petition states. Several tragic incidents have been highlighted in the plea, including student suicides attributed to betting addiction and financial losses incurred on these platforms.

The petitioner has urged the court to direct ASCI to initiate legal proceedings against the celebrity endorsers and to enforce its code of advertising more stringently. The petition also calls on the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to block access to these websites and coordinate with enforcement agencies to investigate money laundering, data privacy breaches, and the misuse of Aadhaar and mobile data.

Petition states, "Whether the inaction or regulatory failure of the ASCI in monitoring and penalizing such misleading advertisements violates its statutory duty under the consumer Consumer Protection framework and its self-regulatory code?" 

The PIL has named ASCI as a respondent alongside the governments of Punjab, Haryana, and Chandigarh; the Ministry of Electronics and IT; the Enforcement Directorate (ED); and the celebrities in question.

Singh is pushing for the immediate creation of comprehensive regulations to govern advertising and operations of online betting platforms. He further pleads timely enforcement of Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, which allows the government to block public access to illegal online content, and to take decisive action against violators. The petition stresses the public health, economic, and legal risks these platforms pose, and argues for a holistic regulatory framework.

Advocate Davinder Singh, petitioner told Storyboard18, "It is unfortunate that celebrities openly promote betting and gambling platforms without considering its ill effects on the society. ASCI on the other hand is failing drastically to fulfil its duty to report such misleading advertisements." 

Between April and August 2024, ASCI flagged over 700 advertisements from illegal betting and gambling companies and forwarded them to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB).

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/exclusive-asci-to-report-snoop-dogg-backed-gambling-platform-roobet-to-mib-57751.htm">Read More: ASCI to report Snoop Dogg backed gambling platform ‘Roobet’ to MIB</a>

Concerns over surrogate advertising have also been raised. In a letter to MIB Secretary Sanjay Jaju, stakeholders in the Real Money Gaming (RMG) industry highlighted how offshore betting operators such as Melbet, Dafabet, Vegas11, Fun88, and 1xBet are disguising ads under similar-sounding brands like Melbat, Dafanews, Vegas11 Sports News, Fun88 News, and Batery.AI.

In a separate but related development, another PIL was recently filed in the Supreme Court by evangelist K.A. Paul, citing the damaging influence of online betting apps on the country’s youth. That petition calls for an immediate ban on such apps and seeks legal action against celebrities—including popular cricketers and actors from Bollywood and South India—who promote these platforms and allegedly mislead their fans by encouraging harmful behavior.

In 2023, MIB issued an advisory to state chief secretaries to crack down on outdoor advertising by gambling and betting companies. Apurva Chandra, Secretary of the MIB, reiterated previous advisories that prohibit such promotions in traditional media and pointed out a shift toward outdoor channels—hoardings, posters, banners, and even auto-rickshaw branding—as a new way these companies are promoting their services. The letter urged local authorities to take immediate and appropriate action to curb these outdoor ads.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/how-it-works/asci-finds-healthcare-and-illegal-betting-top-violative-sector-in-fy24-32344.htm">Read More: ASCI finds healthcare and illegal betting top violative sector in FY24</a>

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/asci-signs-mou-with-the-online-gaming-federations-to-protect-consumers-against-offshore-betting-ads-57043.htm">Read More: ASCI signs MoU with the online gaming federations to protect consumers against offshore betting ads</a>

Exclusive: PIL filed against illegal betting platforms; ASCI, celebs face scrutiny

The Acharya Chanakya Educational Foundation has raised strong objections against Uber India for allegedly promoting gambling applications such as 1xBet through advertisements displayed on taxis affiliated with its fleet partners, including Everest Fleet Pvt. Ltd.  

In a formal letter to Uber India’s Country Director, Yashovardhan Sharma, the Foundation’s Secretary expressed deep concern over the negative impact of such endorsements, particularly with the Indian Premier League (IPL) season approaching. The letter warned that advertising unlawful betting platforms not only encourages illegal gambling but also poses a severe risk to the financial and psychological well-being of young Indians.  

The Foundation has demanded that Uber India immediately cease all advertising related to gambling applications. It also issued a warning that failure to comply would lead to a peaceful protest at Uber’s headquarters on March 24, followed by legal action and extensive media coverage.  

The Acharya Chanakya Educational Foundation has urged Uber India to act responsibly in protecting the interests of the nation’s youth.  Notedly, Uber India has not issued an official response to the allegations.

Education body slams Uber India for gambling app ads on cabs

The Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) has formally appealed to the Indian government, urging a ban on opinion trading apps and websites. In a letter addressed to Ashwini Vaishnaw, Minister of Electronics and Information Technology, and Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, CAIT emphasized the potential risks posed by these platforms, calling them a form of "digital satta" (online gambling).

The letter, written by CAIT's National President, B.C. Bhartia (a copy of which is with Storyboard18), highlights the rapid growth of opinion trading platforms, which have attracted over 50 million users in India. According to the letter, these platforms facilitate transactions exceeding ₹50,000 crores annually, with projected revenues of ₹1,000 crores for the 2024-25 financial year. However, Bhartia warned that advertisements promoting these platforms are deceptive and unlawful, misleading consumers into believing they are engaging in skill-based activities rather than high-risk financial betting.

Bhartia asserted that opinion trading companies are engaging in influencer-endorsed misrepresentation, falsely portraying their services as games of skill. He argued that such misleading advertisements create a false sense of security among users, encouraging them to participate in high-risk financial activities without fully understanding the consequences. The letter further pointed out that these deceptive practices disproportionately affect young, digitally active individuals, many of whom lack the experience or knowledge to assess the inherent dangers of unregulated financial activities.

CAIT also raised serious concerns about the potential impact of these platforms on India's democratic processes. The letter stated that prediction-based opinion trading platforms allow users to bet on election outcomes, thereby posing a threat to electoral democracy. Given the scale of these platforms, CAIT warned that they could influence public opinion and undermine the integrity of democratic institutions.

To counter these risks, CAIT urged the government to take stringent action against opinion trading platforms. The letter proposed:

Directing all intermediaries, including social media platforms, app stores, and cloud service providers, to remove any content related to prediction-based platforms.

Enforcing Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, 2000, to prohibit the hosting, displaying, uploading, publishing, transmitting, or sharing of any material related to opinion trading platforms.

The letter also referenced global regulatory practices and India’s previous actions against misleading digital advertising. It cited the country’s strong stance against false claims in virtual digital asset promotions as an example of effective intervention. CAIT suggested that a similar approach, customized for opinion trading, could protect consumers and ensure ethical digital marketplaces.

Additionally, Bhartia urged the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to collaborate with the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Consumer Affairs to ensure legal action is taken against opinion trading platforms and their promoters. By involving multiple regulatory bodies, CAIT hopes to create a more comprehensive framework to safeguard consumers from financial risks and protect the country’s democratic integrity.

CAIT demands ban on opinion trading apps, says 'Digital Satta' a threat to democracy

The government announced on Wednesday that significant progress has been made in curbing online gambling and betting activities, with over 1,000 such websites banned this year.  

Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology, Ashwini Vaishnaw, informed the Lok Sabha that tackling these issues requires close collaboration between the central and state governments.  

During the Question Hour, Vaishnaw emphasized that the central government takes prompt action whenever violations come to its notice, ensuring all measures align with the Constitutional framework. "In 2022, only 14 betting and gambling platforms were banned and by 2024 the number reached to 1097. We are continuously trying and even we are getting a lot cooperation from the society."

Several lawmakers voiced concerns about the negative impact of online gambling and violent video games on young people. Addressing these concerns, the minister revealed that a total of 1,097 betting and gambling websites were blocked in 2024. He also highlighted that improved coordination among various agencies handling cyber-related crimes has led to more effective enforcement.  

Vaishnaw assured the House that the government is actively working on strengthening the legal framework to address online gambling and related cyber threats.  

Govt cracks down on online gambling, bans over 1,000 websites in 2024: Ashwini Vaishnaw

The Digital India Foundation, a non-profit think tank, has called for a joint collaboration between Meta and Google to combat illegal betting and gambling platforms operating in India. A report titled "Illegal Gambling and Betting Market in India: The Scale and Enablers" analyzed digital platform policies and found that while strict regulations exist for paid advertisements, enforcement remains inconsistent.

India’s illegal gambling and betting ecosystem operates through a sophisticated network involving digital advertisements, social media and messaging platforms, and payment technologies such as cryptocurrency. This illegal sector exceeds $100 billion per year and is rapidly growing at a rate of 30% annually, fueled by increasing digital adoption, technological advancements, and regulatory uncertainty.

According to the report, the scale of illegal gambling and betting in India is staggering, with 1.6 billion visits recorded in just three months (October to December 2024) across four analyzed platforms—Parimatch, Stake, 1xBet, and Battery Bet. Analyzing traffic sources to these platforms revealed that social media contributed 42.8 million visits during the three months. This traffic stemmed from direct paid advertisements through Facebook’s ad network, promoted content, influencer marketing, and social media engagement campaigns.

Dr. Arvind Gupta, Head and Co-Founder of the Digital India Foundation, stated, "The rise and expansion of illegal betting platforms have created an environment where Indian users become desensitized to the fact that they are engaging with illegal platforms. Addressing this issue requires more than just blocking these websites—it demands a comprehensive strategy targeting the entire ecosystem enabling illegal betting and gambling operations. This includes addressing user acquisition through advertising, payment operators, and software providers that support these platforms."

The report emphasizes that Indian government agencies such as the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB), Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C), Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), Department of Consumer Affairs, and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) should establish collaborations with digital advertising intermediaries, including social media platforms, search engines, and ad networks, to proactively monitor, flag, and remove illegal betting and gambling-related advertisements.

The report found that referral traffic generated 247.5 million visits to illegal gambling sites, primarily from adult sites, sports-related websites, streaming services, and file-sharing/hosting media platforms.

The study also found that illegal operators heavily rely on communication platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram for promotion. Influencers with millions of followers use "Channels" to broadcast gambling ads, mimicking social media influencer marketing and enabling instant mass outreach.

Additionally, the study discovered that Meta hosted 1,040 ads across all its platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and Threads, under just the keywords "gambling" and "betting." Traffic driven by both sponsored and user-generated content included platforms such as YouTube, Instagram, WhatsApp Web, X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Reddit, and others.

Ads on social media platforms driving users to illegal gambling websites: DIF Report

YouTube, in its latest policy update announced that it has initiated a global crackdown on gambling content. It is worth noting that Twitch, a rival game-streaming platform, still allows gambling content. In India, due to a lack of monitoring, multiple live streamers broadcast gambling content of illegal betting platforms.

YouTube announced that from March 19, it will no longer permit content that directs users to “unapproved” gambling websites through links, images, text, logos, or verbal references. The platform defines unapproved gambling sites as those that do not meet local legal requirements and have not been reviewed by YouTube or its parent company, Google.

This update builds on YouTube’s existing policy prohibiting links to external sites that violate its rules, including unapproved gambling websites. With this change, users under the age of 18 and those who are not logged in will no longer be able to view content that depicts or promotes online betting sites.

The Real Money Gaming industry is applauding the YouTube's crackdown on illegal gambling and betting platforms which lure Indian users by misleading claims via videos and live streams. 

Jay Sayta, Technology & Gaming Lawyer said, “YouTube’s change in policy to restrict logos and links of unauthorised gambling websites and not allow content promising guaranteed returns is a welcome step that will help to a great extent in preventing gullible Indian users from getting lured into participating on illegal offshore betting websites. One hopes that YouTube will vigilantly enforce any breach of these new guidelines and take down content trying to circumvent this new policy immediately.”

A real-money gaming operator, speaking anonymously, stated, “Lately, we have been noticing and reporting live streams featuring illegal betting and gambling content in India. YouTube’s crackdown is yet another blow to offshore gambling platforms operating illegally in the country. This will significantly impact gambling websites’ ability to penetrate the Indian market.”

In a recent crackdown by Indian law enforcement agencies, the Visakhapatnam Cybercrime Police arrested YouTuber and fisherman Vasupalli Nani following a complaint that he had promoted online betting apps through live streaming on YouTube. 

Similarly, the Kerala Police took strict action on Tuesday against social media influencers promoting illegal betting apps, resulting in the removal of several Instagram accounts. Influencers such as Mallu Family Sujin, Wayanadan Vlogger, and Fazmina Zakiir allegedly shared misleading videos claiming users could earn easy money through online gaming.

The operator added, “However, we expect YouTube to remove existing gambling content from its platform. YouTube should also issue an advisory to influencers, warning them to refrain from promoting gambling and betting websites or risk shadow bans and financial penalties, which would limit their content’s reach.”

A top gaming industry policy expert said, “Multiple illegal gambling companies entice mid-sized influencers to promote illegal betting and gambling websites, offering compensation ranging from $4,000 to $10,000 depending on the deliverables. While YouTube’s crackdown is commendable, the platform should also focus on raising awareness within the community to ensure a complete eradication of such content.”

In 2022, Twitch restricted streams showcasing gambling sites offering slots, roulette, or dice games, reflecting a growing concern over unregulated gambling content on streaming platforms.

RMG industry welcomes YouTube's crackdown on illegal gambling content

The Bengaluru police have registered a case against the notorious illegal betting and gambling platform 1xBet for live-streaming the ICC Champions Trophy without authorization. Star has alleged that 1xBet is broadcasting the tournament despite not having a license or agreement to do so.

The FIR seeks the arrest of individuals in India involved in the platform's operation. It has been filed under Sections 43, 66, and 66D of the Information Technology Act, 2000, and Section 318(4) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which replaced the Indian Penal Code.

The case has been filed against unidentified individuals. Sources close to the development say that celebrities associated with 1xBet will be investigated to identify those involved in running its operations in India.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/advertising/actor-urvashi-rautela-under-scanner-for-promoting-illegal-gambling-platforms-58223.htm">Actor Urvashi Rautela under scanner for promoting illegal gambling platforms</a>

“Any telecast, transmission, or streaming without the company’s express permission violates Star’s copyright and broadcast reproduction rights,” the company stated in its complaint.

1xBet continues to operate illegally in India despite multiple government-imposed blocks. Storyboard18 previously reported on celebrities endorsing 1xBet in India. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, in its advisory, has called for a ban on advertising such illegal betting and gambling platforms.

1xBet is based in Cyprus and licensed in Curaçao. The company is banned in multiple countries, including the US, UK, Russia, France, and Spain, due to its alleged involvement in money laundering and illegal gambling activities.

Star India files FIR against notorious betting company 1xBet for piracy

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) will report Roobet, an illegal gambling and betting platform endorsed and partnered with by American rapper Snoop Dogg, to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Storyboard18 previously reported that Roobet falsely misused the brand names of the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI)-led Unified Payments Interface (UPI), not only claiming them as partners but also using them for illicit transactions.

Storyboard18 highlighted the misuse of the UPI brand name by illegal gambling and betting companies to lure Indian users onto their platforms.

Manisha Kapoor, CEO & Secretary General of ASCI, responded to Storyboard18, stating, "We will be reporting the matter to MIB. We have a three-member dedicated team that tracks and monitors advertisements for illegal betting and gambling companies."

Kapoor said, "We report advertisements promoting illegal offshore betting platforms to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)."

Additionally, ASCI's monitoring cell will use tracking software to identify such violations across various media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram Sponsored Ads via Meta Library Search, Facebook and Instagram pages, website screenings, OTT platforms, and e-commerce platforms.

Roobet, a Cyprus-based illegal betting and gambling company endorsed by American rapper Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr., better known as Snoop Dogg, falsely claims UPI as one of its partners. Similarly, Raja Bets, a Curacao-based betting firm, continues to misuse the NPCI-led UPI brand name to attract Indian users.

In March 2023, Snoop Dogg partnered with Roobet and its parent company, Raw Entertainment, and was appointed Chief Ganjaroo Officer at Roobet.

<a href="https://www.storyboard18.com/gaming-news/upi-brand-name-abused-by-offshore-betting-platforms-to-lure-indian-users-57675.htm">UPI brand name abused by offshore betting platforms to lure Indian users</a>

Akshat Khetan, Founder of AU Corporate Advisory and Legal Services, said, "Using UPI and NPCI brand names to promote betting and gambling platforms is illegal because it misleads users into believing these platforms are officially recognized or endorsed by India’s financial regulators. Under the Payment and Settlement Systems Act, 2007, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, such misrepresentation qualifies as fraudulent and deceptive."

Recently, ASCI signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), and the E-Gaming Federation (EGF). Since the MoU took effect in January 2025, ASCI has flagged 413 offshore betting ads to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Indian state laws prohibit gambling and offshore betting activities, making advertisements for these activities illegal in these states. However, online real-money games (RMG) that rely primarily on skill are permitted by most state laws, and their advertising is therefore allowed. Many offshore betting and gambling operators attempt to portray themselves as legally permitted gaming companies, highlighting the need to identify and escalate such advertisements to regulators.

Storyboard18 reached out to NPCI for a comment regarding brand violations and the illegal use of UPI for transactions. However, the spokesperson was unavailable for comment.

Think Change Forum (TCF), an independent think tank, had released a report titled “State of the Betting and Gambling Industry in India.” According to the report, the offshore sports betting market receives an estimated $100 billion annually in deposits from India and has been growing at 20 percent per year in the last three years post-pandemic.

The report further observes that under the new GST regime, despite best enforcement efforts, the illegal offshore betting industry will continue to grow at 20% at the least, leading to a tax loss figure of Rs 6,72,205 crore by 2026.

EXCLUSIVE: ASCI to report Snoop Dogg backed gambling platform ‘Roobet’ to MIB

The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) will report the gambling and betting company Melbet’s advertisement aired on B4U Music. Additionally, B4U Television Network India Limited has blacklisted the marketing agency that paid for the advertisement’s telecast.

On September 25, Storyboard18 reported that despite the ban on advertisements for illegal betting and gambling firms, B4U Music aired ads for Melbet, an offshore betting and gambling company allegedly involved in money laundering and operating in India.

In its half-yearly complaint report for 2024-25, ASCI revealed that 93% of scrutinized advertisements came from digital platforms, with 2,087 flagged for direct legal violations. The top five categories with the highest violations were real estate (34%), illegal betting (29%), healthcare (8%), personal care (7%), and food and beverage (6%).

Manisha Kapoor, Secretary General and CEO of ASCI, stated, “We have been flagging illegal betting/gambling ads of offshore companies to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB). Between April and September 2024, ASCI reported 890 illegal betting ads to the Ministry. The platform in question will be reported to the government.”

Furthermore, Infinite Entertainment, a Satara-based marketing firm that paid B4U Music for the advertisement, has been blacklisted by the channel, and all business operations with the firm have been terminated. Bhakti Patil, Founder of Infinite Entertainment, confirmed the development.

Storyboard18 reached out to Santosh Garg, Director of B4U Network Limited, for a comment, but he declined to respond.

It is noteworthy that on October 3, 2022, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting issued an advisory to private satellite TV channels, stating, “Betting and gambling are illegal activities in most parts of India. As per Paragraph 9 of the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements 2022, under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, since betting and gambling are illegal, advertisements for online offshore betting and gambling platforms are also illegal.”

The advisory further clarified, “Under the Advertising Code of the Cable TV Network Regulation Act, 1995, ads for betting platforms, being illegal activities, cannot be aired on TV channels.”

In March 2024, the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs issued a strict advisory banning the advertising, promotion, and endorsement of illegal activities such as betting and gambling, including those disguised as gaming. Under the Consumer Protection Act of 2019, the CCPA prohibits endorsements of illegal activities.

According to the 2021 Global Report on Corruption in Sport by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), the illegal betting and gambling market is estimated to be worth $350 billion and $1.7 trillion, respectively.

The Think Change Forum (TCF), an independent think tank, published a report titled “State of the Betting and Gambling Industry in India.” It estimated that the offshore sports betting market receives $100 billion annually in deposits from India and has grown by 20% annually over the past three years since the pandemic.

Storyboard18 Impact: ASCI to report B4U Music's betting ad to MIB

The Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA) is set to implement its gaming regulations within the next month. TNOGA informed stakeholders of this decision during a recent consultation meeting held on November 12. However, stakeholders from the Real Money Gaming (RMG) industry are now demanding that video games also be regulated and receive the same treatment as them. 

Interestingly, neither the Game Developers Association of Tamil Nadu nor other stakeholders from the video gaming industry were invited by TNOGA at the last consultation meeting. Storyboard18 previously reported that TNOGA is preparing to regulate the RMG industry in the state, but the video gaming industry will remain unregulated in Tamil Nadu.

A source from the RMG industry who attended the consultation meeting said, “TNOGA officials and Cyber Cell police officials, were present at the meeting. However, government officials have not responded to our questions about whether they will share the draft policy before implementation.”

The source added, “TNOGA should closely collaborate with stakeholders before implementing the policy and create an environment conducive to growth in the country. Tamil Nadu is a major market for the RMG industry, and we already self-regulate by adopting comprehensive security and precautionary measures.”

In addition, multiple RMG operators are requesting similar treatment to that of the video gaming industry. Officials from PRAHAR, a policy and research think tank, met with TNOGA Chairperson Md. Nasimuddin Siddiqui on November 13 to propose collaborative awareness programs and workshops for stakeholders and law enforcement officials.

PRAHAR conducted an opinion poll among 5,200 online gamers in Tamil Nadu, revealing that the vast majority could not distinguish between legal and illegal games.

Abhay Raj Mishra, President and National Convenor of PRAHAR, stated, “The distinction between video games and real money games is highly questionable, especially when video games are given more lenient treatment. Video games, particularly those without monetary transactions, are predominantly targeted at children, contributing to early habit formation and gaming addiction.”

Mishra continued, “Allowing children to access appealing video games at a life stage when they lack cognitive maturity, while restricting adults' rights to freely choose to engage in real money games, reflects a flawed policy approach.”

According to a report by PRAHAR, India could face nearly 1 trillion cyberattacks annually by 2033, escalating to 17 trillion by 2047, with illegal online gaming platforms serving as a major conduit for these threats.

Snehil Dhall, a criminologist and founder of Crimophobia said, "The lack of regulation over in-game chats within online gaming and video games platforms has made them an ideal communication channel for terror groups and organized crime syndicates. These chats fall outside traditional monitoring frameworks, creating a safe and anonymous space for illicit coordination."

Dhall said, "Tamil Nadu has consistently been ahead of the curve when addressing issues related to organized crime, often taking proactive steps that are 10-15 years ahead of other states. This foresight is critical now as the digital ecosystem, particularly online gambling platforms, emerges as a new frontier for organized crime.”

Dr. Aruna Sharma, a policy advisor and development economist, said, "After completing consultations, Tamil Nadu is now moving toward regulating online games. This framework will allow both Real Money Gaming (RMG) and other online games to register under the regulatory body.”

Dr. Sharma talking about TNOGA's policy further noted that, “There has been no discussion about banning online RMG as part of this regulatory initiative. The proposed regulations are expected to include filters for age restrictions, and players will need to set limits on the amount of money spent and time played. This is a positive step. We need clearer and stronger regulations to prevent the growth of dubious platforms in the gray market.”

She added, “Moreover, console-based video games, typically played privately at home and not involving wagering, also raise concerns about addiction. However, they are not subject to regulation.”

The TNOGA, established last year, has recommended that online gaming be prohibited between midnight and 5 a.m., with a daily play limit of four hours and each session restricted to two hours.

Under the proposed rules, players may also face spending caps of ₹5,000 per day and ₹20,000 per month on gaming platforms. Aadhaar verification is expected to be mandatory for all registrations on these platforms.

GAMBLING