Quick Overview
- As of March 28, 2026, Indian authorities have blocked 8,376 URLs associated with online gambling operations
- More than 4,800 blocking actions occurred following the implementation of the Online Gaming Act, 2025
- Penalties for illegal betting activities include imprisonment from 1 to 7 years under current legislation
- Survey research indicates offshore platform engagement climbed from 68.3% to 82% following enforcement measures
- Industry experts place the offshore gambling sector’s value at a minimum of $20 billion
The Indian government has taken enforcement action against 8,376 online gambling and betting websites. The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology disclosed these figures during a Lok Sabha response dated April 1, 2026.
These statistics represent actions completed through March 28, 2026. The information was provided following an unstarred parliamentary question regarding offshore digital gaming platforms operating within Indian jurisdiction.
Over half of these blocked domains—more than 4,800—were targeted after the Online Gaming Act, 2025 became operational. This legislation prohibits online money gaming and represents a cornerstone of government efforts to combat digital gambling activities.
The enforcement strategy relies upon multiple legal frameworks. The Information Technology Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021 mandate that intermediaries, including those based offshore, comply with due diligence obligations and remove illegal material.
The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 adds criminal dimensions to the regulatory approach. This statute makes unauthorized gambling and betting activities punishable by imprisonment of one to seven years, accompanied by monetary penalties.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 extends these restrictions even further. It prohibits online money gaming along with associated financial transactions and promotional activities.
Tax Regulations Strengthen Enforcement Framework
Taxation laws supplement the regulatory arsenal. The Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 levies a 28% GST on gambling activities. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence holds authority to block offshore or unregistered gambling websites.
Collectively, these legal instruments establish the framework for India’s comprehensive offensive against online betting operations. Authorities have utilized this legislative foundation to justify blocking thousands of web addresses.
However, enforcement outcomes present a paradox. Contrary to expectations, offshore gambling participation in India appears to be expanding rather than contracting.
Research conducted by CUTS International in the Delhi NCR region during December 2025 revealed that offshore platform usage increased from 68.3% before restrictions to 82% afterward. This constitutes a 20.1% relative growth.
The same research documented that daily platform access surged from 3.4% to 42.3%. Participants also reported extended session durations and elevated monthly expenditures.
Users Circumvent Restrictions via Mirror Sites and Payment Systems
Bettors have discovered methods to evade blocking measures through mirror domains and indigenous payment systems like UPI. These mechanisms enable persistent access to prohibited platforms notwithstanding government intervention.
Additional CUTS research conducted in Tamil Nadu during January 2026 documented a 15.2% increase in offshore platform engagement following the ban. The pattern extends beyond single geographic areas.
The offshore market’s magnitude was addressed during a MediaNama panel in September 2025. Dhruv Garg, a partner at IGAP, provided a conservative valuation of $20 billion for the offshore gaming sector.
Garg emphasized that these funds were exiting India through illegal channels. He noted that tax evasion from this industry surpassed $4 billion, exceeding the revenue generated by India’s legitimate gaming sector.
The most recent government data from March 2026 confirms that India’s enforcement campaign continues, with 8,376 URLs eliminated and more than half of those actions occurring subsequent to the 2025 legislation’s enactment.
