Seeking to curb gambling-related risks for young users, India’s government has approved a bill that bans celebrity endorsements of betting-linked apps, introduces fines, and directs educational outreach as part of its online gaming regulatory framework.
The Union Cabinet cleared the bill on Tuesday, and it is expected to be tabled in the Lok Sabha (the lower house of the bicameral Parliament of India) this week.
According to officials, the legislation aims to reduce the influence of betting platforms on younger audiences. “This bill will help steer youth away from harmful distractions and reduce the adverse effects these games have on society,” an official said.
The bill grants authorities powers to penalize violations, impose fines, and ban apps linked to betting and gambling.
The bill builds on measures already introduced in the sector. Since October 2023, a 28% goods and services tax (GST) has applied to online gaming. Winnings from games are taxed at 30% from the financial year 2024–25. Offshore platforms are also included in the tax regime, and unregistered or illegal sites can be blocked.
New provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (India’s new official criminal code), introduced in 2024, made unauthorized betting punishable with jail terms of up to seven years and fines.
Between 2022 and February 2025, the government blocked more than 1,400 betting and gambling websites and apps. The Education Ministry has issued advisories to parents and teachers to raise awareness of gaming addiction. The Information and Broadcasting Ministry has instructed TV channels to include disclaimers about financial risks and potential addiction in gaming advertisements.
Enforcement authorities have continued to pursue investigations into illegal platforms. In July, Google representatives appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering investigation involving online betting and gambling services. Meta officials did not appear despite being summoned.
The ED is investigating several platforms accused of fraud and money laundering, including the Mahadev Online Book app from Chhattisgarh. Google provided statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and submitted documents requested by the agency, while stating it takes measures to block illegal gambling advertisements.
If enacted, the new bill would formalize the regulation of online gaming platforms offering betting, adding to existing tax, compliance, and enforcement measures. Officials said the aim is to make online gaming safe, accountable, and responsible.
