India Intensifies the Fight Against Its Problem Gambling Epidemic

India’s ongoing surge in online gaming and sports wagering has triggered a nationwide investigation into the growing problem gambling crisis. While regulators, mental health experts, and legislators are collaborating to assess the black market’s impact on individuals and communities, societal costs continue to climb. However, recent measures underline that the nation is taking this matter seriously as it records slow but steady progress.

Illegal Operators Account for Billions of Dollars

According to a recent DW report, over 140 million Indians actively engage in online gambling, with the number rising to 370 million during significant sporting events such as the Indian Premier League (IPL). Besides conventional betting sites, fantasy gaming platforms have been extremely popular, with a combined user base of over 180 million.

Analysts attribute this rapid growth to increasing smartphone penetration, digital infrastructure expansion, and aggressive marketing by celebrities and social media influencers. However, mental health professionals warn of the societal risks associated with the industry’s rise. Psychiatrist Achal Bhagat describes how addiction can dominate an individual’s life, impacting financial stability, relationships, and overall well-being.

Apps such as these can take over one’s identity. If someone uses betting apps repetitively and this pervades their day-to-day functioning, it is time to seek help.

Achal Bhagat

Regulated industry stakeholders have emphasized the importance of better safeguards to protect users from fraudulent betting activity. India’s illegal sports betting market draws in over $100 billion annually, placing increased pressure on authorities to curb the spread of problem gambling by introducing stricter regulations, tightening controls on celebrity endorsements, and enhancing consumer protections.

India Is Ramping Up Enforcement

As the lucrative IPL season kicks in, India’s Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI) has intensified its scrutiny of offshore online gaming firms suspected of money laundering, operating without licenses, and posing security risks. Over 700 such entities are currently under investigation. However, effective enforcement remains challenging due to their offshore status, as such companies often host their servers in countries with lax regulatory regimes, such as Curacao, Malta, and Cyprus.

Regulators have also turned their attention to social media influencers who promote gambling platforms to their followers, often in violation of Indian laws. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB) has cracked down on such practices, sending warnings and legal notices to content creators promoting unauthorized betting websites. Even Google has not escaped scrutiny as the tech giant faces an investigation into real-money gaming app practices.

Despite India’s efforts to bring order to the nation’s gambling sector, industry representatives caution that regulations must carefully balance responsible gambling measures and industry growth or risk pushing even more individuals toward unregulated operators. While the nation works to ensure that regulatory control keeps pace with industry developments, it has achieved limited progress while social costs continue to grow.