India has intensified its online betting crackdown, blocking 242 additional illegal gambling websites, bringing the total number of blocked domains to more than 7,800 since the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) came into force on October 1, 2025.
The sweeping legislation, signed into law by President Droupadi Murmu, introduced a nationwide ban on real-money online betting and gambling while permitting esports and non-monetized social games under strict regulatory guidelines.
PROGA Resets India’s Digital Gaming Framework
PROGA establishes a unified federal standard, replacing fragmented state-level regulations. The law prohibits all real-money wagering, including offshore betting platforms targeting Indian users. However, it explicitly allows esports tournaments and social games that do not involve cash betting, provided they comply with regulatory conditions.
Authorities have clarified that enforcement targets operators, advertisers, promoters, influencers, and financial backers — not individual players. This approach aims to dismantle the commercial ecosystem supporting illegal betting without penalizing users directly.
Ecosystem Disruption Strategy
Government sources describe the crackdown as broader than simple website blocking. Monitoring now extends to online advertisements, social media promotions, and influencer campaigns. Many of the recently blocked platforms were reportedly embedded in youth-focused digital spaces.
Sanctions include domain shutdowns, financial restrictions, and penalties for promoters, effectively cutting off revenue channels and visibility for illegal operators.
Ongoing Evasion and Financial Risks
Despite the progress, regulators face persistent evasion tactics such as rapid domain switching and offshore payment routing through mule accounts. Analysts estimate that illegal betting volumes reach hundreds of crores monthly, raising concerns over money laundering and financial integrity.
National Oversight and Industry Impact
PROGA also establishes a National Online Gaming Commission to oversee licensing, compliance, and dispute resolution for permitted platforms. This centralized framework aims to provide regulatory clarity for esports and compliant digital gaming operators.
With more than 7,800 sites blocked, India signals a firm stance on eliminating unregulated online betting while fostering a controlled, transparent digital gaming ecosystem.
