Supreme Court: While considering a petition filed by Centre for Accountability Systemic Change (CASC) seeking issuance of appropriate writ directing the Respondents to prohibit online gambling and betting games operating in the guise of social and e-sports games; the Division Bench of J.B. Pardiwala and K.V. Viswanathan, JJ., issued notice in the matter.
The petitioner, which an NGO, invoked the writ jurisdiction of the Court seeking the following reliefs:
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directing the Respondents Nos. 1 to 4 to do a harmonious interpretation of provisions of Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and laws made by State Legislatures, to prohibit online gambling and betting games operating in the guise of social and e-sports games.
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directing the Respondent 1 to take action and issue blocking orders under section 69A of the IT act against all unlawful betting and gambling platforms in India.
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directing the Respondent 3 to issue directions to RBI, NPCI and other UPI platforms to not allow any transactions of online money games’ “which are not registered in India.
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directing to the Respondents to adopt stringent provisions of Tamil Nadu Prohibition of Online Gaming Act, 2022 at all India to curb the menace of online gambling and betting as done like invoking of Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act, 1999 to combat organised crimes and terrorism.
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directing to the Respondents to strictly adhere with the IT (Intermediary) Rules 2021 and allow only those whitelist online gaming apps in Play Store which are duly licensed by the Indian authorities.
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directing the Respondent No.3 to issue directions for recovery of GST and Income Tax from offshore companies by getting the assistance of Interpol through ED and CBI agencies of India.
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directing the Respondents to protect the data of the children already collected by online gaming companies.
The petitioners further stated that there are about two thousand Online Apps operating relating to betting and gambling and stated that the government should take immediate action in this regard in larger public interest.
The amicus submitted that the reliefs sought in the petition are squarely covered in the new legislation on online gaming which is yet to come into force.
The Court upon perusing the reliefs sought, deemed it fit to issues notice.
[Centre for Accountability Systemic Change v. Inion of India, Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 1008/2025, order dated 3-11-2025]
Advocates who appeared in this case :
For Petitioner(s): Mr. Virag Gupta, Adv. Mr. Vishal Arun Mishra, AOR Ms. Rupali Panwar, Adv. Mr. Yash Sharma, Adv.