The Supreme Court of India on 4 November 2025 issued notice to the Union of India, seeking its response in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by an NGO calling for a nationwide ban on online gambling and betting platforms allegedly functioning under the label of social and e-sports games.
The petition, filed by the Centre for Accountability Systemic Change (CASC), contends that nearly two thousand gambling and betting applications are presently operational in India and urges the Central Government to take immediate preventive measures in the interest of public welfare, particularly protecting the nation’s youth.
The matter was heard by a Division Bench comprising Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan, which directed that the PIL be tagged with the batch of petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 (Online Gaming Act).
Petition Seeks Strict Action Against Unlawful Online Money Games
The petitioner has sought directions for a harmonious interpretation of the Online Gaming Act, 2025, and various State legislations to ensure that online gambling and betting activities disguised as gaming are effectively prohibited.
The plea further requests that the Union of India issue blocking orders under Section 69A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, targeting all unlawful betting and gambling websites and apps.
Additionally, the petition demands that the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI), and UPI platforms be instructed to prohibit financial transactions linked to unregistered or unlicensed money gaming platforms.
It also urges Google and Apple to comply strictly with the Information Technology (Intermediary) Rules, 2021, by allowing only licensed gaming applications to operate on their digital stores.
Petitioner Cites Tax Evasion, Data Privacy & Regulatory Concerns
The NGO’s plea goes further, calling for the recovery of GST and income tax dues from offshore gaming companies through agencies such as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) with the assistance of Interpol.
The petitioner has also raised concerns regarding the protection of children’s data collected by these online gaming entities, emphasizing the urgent need for stringent regulatory safeguards.
It advocates for the nationwide adoption of robust provisions similar to those in the Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gaming Act, 2022, and seeks the application of the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 (MCOCA) to counteract online gambling operations.
Centre’s Stand And Court’s Direction
Appearing for the Union of India, Advocate VC Bharathi submitted that the reliefs sought by the petitioner are already covered by the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which has been passed by Parliament but is yet to come into force.
Following the submissions, the Bench issued notice and tagged the matter with the pending batch of petitions challenging the Online Gaming Act.
The Online Gaming Act, 2025, enacted on August 21 and receiving Presidential assent on August 22, has been challenged on grounds that it imposes a blanket restriction on games of skill, including e-sports, thereby allegedly infringing Article 19(1)(g) of the Constitution of India.
Case Details
- Case Title: Centre for Accountability Systemic Change (CASC) & Anr. v. Union of India & Ors.
- Case No.: Writ Petition (Civil) No. 1008/2025
- Bench: Justice JB Pardiwala and Justice KV Viswanathan
- Date of Order: 4 November 2025
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