New Delhi, July 2025 — In a robust enforcement initiative, the Indian government has issued 1,524 blocking directions against offshore and domestic online betting, gambling, and gaming platforms from 2022 through June 2025, Parliament was informed this week.
The Enforcement Framework
These actions were directed through the Ministry of Electronics & IT (MeitY) under provisions of the Information Technology Act and the IGST Act, with the GST Intelligence Directorate (DGGI) empowered to execute blocks and freeze transactions.
Between 2022–2024 alone, MeitY had issued 1,298 blocking orders and DGGI coordinated to block 357 illegal platform websites while freezing nearly 2,400 bank accounts linked to offshore gaming networks and suspected mule accounts. These moves coincided with ₹126 crore in intercepted transactions.
Why It Matters
- From October 2023, India imposed a 30% tax on gaming winnings and 28% GST on gaming transactions, tightening fiscal oversight of the sector.
- Platforms evading these norms risk significant legal and financial penalties under revised IT and GST rules.
- The crackdown underscores the government’s resolve to regulate the sector and protect users against addictive gambling schemes and illicit finance.
Broader Impact on India’s Digital Economy
The surge in blocked platforms validates the government’s dual aim to secure its digital ecosystem and reinforce compliance among online intermediaries. With tighter ad norms, streamlined reporting channels, and raised public awareness, enforcement is increasingly proactive even as tech firms and influencers face scrutiny for promoting prohibited platforms.
Strategic Insight:
India’s scale of action reflects a multi-year policy shift: treating financial risk platforms as national security infrastructure. Whether you’re a policymaker, investor, or operator, ignoring regulatory complexity in this domain is no longer an option.
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