The Government of India has dramatically escalated its crackdown on illegal online gambling, blocking over 7,800 websites since the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA) came into force on October 1, 2025. The latest enforcement action alone targeted 242 illegal betting and gambling platforms in a single sweep.
The Scale of the Crackdown
Government sources confirmed that the 242 websites targeted in the latest action were found offering real-money wagering services in direct violation of PROGA. The blocked sites include offshore casino platforms, sports betting websites, and fantasy gaming apps that continued to operate after the law took effect.
Enforcement has not been limited to website blocking. Authorities have also intensified monitoring of digital advertisements, social media promotions, and influencer marketing linked to illegal betting — a direct response to the growth of gambling-related content on platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and Telegram.
URL Switching: The Cat-and-Mouse Challenge
Authorities acknowledge that enforcement faces a significant challenge from what they call "URL switching" — a tactic where illegal operators quickly shift to new domain names to evade detection as soon as they are blocked. This means some platforms can return online within hours of being removed.
Offshore betting platforms have also been accused of using so-called mule bank accounts to move funds out of the country, making financial tracking particularly difficult for enforcement agencies.
Enforcement Targets Operators, Not Players
Importantly, government officials have confirmed that the crackdown is directed at operators who run illegal platforms — not at individual players who accessed these sites. There are currently no reported cases of Indian users being prosecuted purely for playing at offshore casino websites.
Estimated Illegal Market Size
Former industry executives and policy experts estimate that illegal betting volumes in India run into hundreds of crores of rupees per month. The government has cited data linking online betting to financial fraud, money laundering, and in some cases, the financing of criminal activities, as justification for the sweeping enforcement campaign.
What This Means for Players
Indian players who use international casino sites that are not licensed in India are accessing services that the government considers illegal under PROGA. While individual prosecution remains rare, the risk of losing access to funds held at these platforms is real — particularly if payment gateways are blocked and withdrawals become impossible. Players are advised to use only platforms with established reputations and clear withdrawal processes.