India blocked 357 illegal offshore money gaming websites in a sweeping crackdown, strengthening its efforts to oversee the emerging industry. The action follows the authorities’ increasing clampdown on online gambling businesses evading domestic legislation.
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) made the bans public after reports emerged that these sites were breaching financial rules and could be used to facilitate money laundering operations. India’s online money gaming sector has both domestic and international operators, but the offshore operators have been under greater scrutiny.
Another 700 platforms are now under scrutiny, with authorities indicating additional action within weeks. The raids are to guard consumers from misleading scams and prevent addiction and financial loss.
Government authorities have called on players to exercise vigilance and use only sites registered under India’s regulatory ecosystem. The prohibition is part of a larger plan to develop a safer and more transparent internet gaming platform in the nation.
