Supreme Court takes up plea to ban betting apps in India

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a nationwide ban on illegal betting apps and stricter regulation of online gaming and fantasy sports, according to a report by NDTV. A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh issued a notice to the Centre, though it held off on involving state governments for now.

The petitioner, a self-described social activist and President of the Global Peace Initiative, claims the unchecked growth of online betting threatens public welfare, especially among youth. He cited a Telangana FIR naming 25 celebrities for promoting betting platforms, and a report on 24 related suicides in the state.

Arguing that betting is a game of chance and falls under gambling prohibited by many states, the plea calls for uniform national legislation. The petitioner said the PIL aims to protect vulnerable citizens from the harms of unregulated betting disguised as fantasy sports or skill-based games.