Last year in October, the Center issued a strict advisory against showcasing betting advertisements on over-the-top (OTT) platforms, such as Netflix, Hotstar, and Amazon Prime Video, as well as on private satellite TV platforms, expressing that non-observance of the advisory may invite penal action under the applicable laws.

On February 5, 2023, the central government declared an “emergency” and prohibited more than 230 offshore betting, gambling, and loan applications. As indicated by an official, the ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY) banned 138 betting and gambling websites and apps and 94 loan apps, which “were engaging in illegal money laundering and were posing a threat to the financial security of our nation” under Section 69(A) of the IT Act.

Commenting on this matter, Mr. Roland Landers, CEO, of All India Gaming Federation, said, “We believe that the blocking of 138 gambling apps undertaken by MeitY on the directions of MHA, is a good step in stopping the menace of gambling and is important not only because it affects the skill gaming industry but because it threatens the economic, social and national security of our country and harms our citizens.

These anti-national websites have been marketing themselves as news or legitimate gaming websites and have spent massive amounts of money signing the biggest sports and movie icons of our country, various teams and sports leagues in the country, and airing their ads during the most watched sporting events.

Additionally, there is also a need for constant monitoring and heightened vigilance against these sites, as many of them have already gone live again on alternate domain names and have no regard for the laws of the country.

This move will also undoubtedly help Indian users and the legitimate Indian gaming industry since these gambling websites were masquerading as gaming websites in many instances, causing harm to users and spoiling the image and perception of the Indian gaming industry, which has been built by young Indian entrepreneurs and provides safe and legal entertainment options to their customers. Mr. Roland Landers concluded.

Credit: Gateway to Gaming