India’s government has introduced a bill in parliament seeking to ban online gambling, citing concerns over addiction, financial harm, and links to money laundering and terrorism financing.
The proposed legislation, tabled in the lower house on Wednesday, could upend a multi-billion-dollar industry that spans online poker, fantasy sports, and India’s hugely popular fantasy cricket platforms — some of which sponsor the Indian Premier League (IPL) and the national cricket team.
According to the bill, websites and apps offering money-based games where users pay entry fees or stake funds with the expectation of winning cash will be prohibited. Violators risk fines or prison sentences.
Lawmakers backing the proposal warned that the “unchecked expansion” of online gambling has been tied to financial fraud, money laundering, and in some cases, the financing of terrorism. The legislation also flagged the growing social and economic risks for young players.
Industry groups, however, have pushed back strongly. The All India Gaming Federation and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports cautioned that banning regulated platforms would only drive millions of players to offshore and unregulated gambling sites.
“Instead of protecting people, this bill risks exposing them to fraud, exploitation, and unsafe practices,” the groups warned in a joint statement.
Despite opposition, the government insists the measure is necessary to safeguard vulnerable users and protect national security.
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