India's Supreme Court recently issued a broad notification regarding illegal online gambling apps, calling for responses from various parties including state governments, national regulatory bodies, and tech giants, aiming to promote a nationwide ban on unregulated gambling platforms.
This action originates from a public interest litigation advocating for a unified legal framework to strictly regulate online games and fantasy sports. The case is presided over by Judges Surya Kant and Joymalya Bagchi, and notices have been sent to the Reserve Bank of India, the Telecom Regulatory Authority, the Enforcement Directorate, and all state governments. Platforms such as Google India, Apple India, Dream11, MPL, and A23 have also been asked to submit responses.
The petition points out that fantasy sports and online gaming platforms often serve as a cover for gambling, allegedly misleading the public and inducing addiction issues. Dr. Paul, the petitioner, claims that this case represents the rights of millions of people. The document also mentions that 24 suicide cases due to gambling debts in Telangana and investigations into public figures promoting gambling apps highlight the growing problem.
Currently, India lacks unified legislation in the field of online gambling, and the central regulatory vacuum is considered a major factor in fostering illegal platforms. The court may issue interim directives at the next hearing, and the case could become a key point in promoting a national unified online gambling regulatory system.
