Indian Supreme Court Takes Up Case Seeking Ban on Online Gambling Platforms Masquerading as Social & Esports Games

A public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) seeks a nationwide ban on online gambling and betting platforms in India that allegedly operate under the guise of “social games” or esports-style contests.

The petition filed on 13 October 2025 names six respondents, including four Union ministries (Electronics & IT; Information & Broadcasting; Finance; Youth Affairs & Sports) as well as major app-store operators Apple Inc. and Google India Pvt Ltd. It calls on the Supreme Court of India to direct a harmonised interpretation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and existing state laws, and to block platforms that are said to offer real-money gambling via so-called social or esports games.

The plea alleges that more than 650 million Indians engage with such games, generating annual revenues of over ₹1.8 lakh crore (≈ US$20 billion), and argues that these platforms cause social, economic and national security harm.

In its first response the court described the issue as “important” and asked the government to file its response. The bench indicated it would consider what steps need to be taken to curb the proliferation of unlicensed platforms.

The case marks a pivotal moment in India’s shifting regulatory landscape for online gaming, following enactment of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which bans real-money games and aims to regulate online gaming more strictly.