Supreme Court asks government to take note of betting and gambling apps operating as e-sporting platforms

The Supreme Court of India has formally asked the Indian government to respond to a public interest litigation (PLI) seeking action against online gambling and betting platforms which allegedly operate under the disguise of social and e-sporting games. The petition filed by Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) raises concerns over the growing number of apps which basically favour online gambling but under disguise of e-sporting or social apps. The petition alleges that these apps have a lot of impact on the Indian youth.

A Superme Court bench comprising of Justices J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan has issued a notice to the centre directing them to file an appropriate reply. Along with this the court has also ordered the plea to be tagged with the ongoing petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which is currently under judicial review.

Concerns over e-sports disguise

Under the PIL filed the petitioner has claimed that more than 2,000 apps which are presently operating in the country and are promoting gambling and betting activities, while presenting themselves as e-sports or social gaming platforms. As per the PIL, these platforms are exploiting regulatory gaps and are misleading the users mainly minors into participating in games.

The PIL filed in the Supreme Court also urges the government to take immediate steps and identify and block such platforms. It has also asked the government to enforce stricter digital advertising norms.

The petition has been forwarded to multiple ministries, including Electronics and IT, Information and Broadcasting, Finance, and Youth Affairs and Sports, for coordinated action.

Read Supreme Court’s complete order here

Upon hearing the counsel the Court made the following Order1. The petitioner(s), a Non - Government Organization has invoked the writ jurisdiction of this Court under Article 32 of the Constitution of India praying for the following reliefs:- “a. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ thereby directing the Respondents No. 1 to 4 to do a harmonious interpretation of provisions of Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and laws made by State Legislatures, to prohibit online gambling and betting games operating in the guise of social and e-sports games. b. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ thereby directing the Respondent No 1 to take action and issue blocking orders under section 69A of the IT act against all unlawful betting and gambling platforms in India. c. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ thereby directing the Respondent No 3 to issue directions to RBI, NPCI and other UPI platforms to not allow any transactions of online money games' "which arc not registered in India. d. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ thereby directing to the Respondents to adopt stringent provisions of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gaming Act, 2022 at all India to curb the menace of online gambling and betting as done like invoking of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 to combat organised crimes and terrorism.e. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ thereby directing to the Respondent No. 5 and 6 to strictly adhere with the IT (Intermediary) Rules 2021 and allow only those whitelist online gaming apps in Play Store which are duly licensed by the Indian authorities. f. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ thereby directing the Respondent No.3 to issue directions for recovery of GST and Income Tax from offshore companies by getting the assistance of Interpol through ED and CBI agencies of India. g. Issue a writ of mandamus or any other appropriate writ thereby directing the Respondents to protect the data of the children already collected by online gaming companies. h. Issue or pass any writ, direction or order, which this Hon'ble court may deem in and proper under the facts and circumstances of the case.”2. When this matter was taken up for hearing first in point of time, we had requested from Mr. V.C. Bharathi, the learned panel counsel appearing for the respondent(s) to look into the petition and assist us.3. According to Mr. Bharathi, the reliefs which are prayed for are squarely covered by the New Legislation relating to online gaming which has yet to come into force. 4. According to the petitioner(s), there are about two thousand APPS as on date operating online relating to betting and gambling. The petitioner(s) want the government to take immediate action in this regard in larger public interest affecting the youth more particularly of the nation. 5. Issue notice. 6. Let an appropriate reply be filed to the petition.