India Blocks 8,376 Offshore Gambling URLs in 2026
India has intensified its crackdown on online betting and gambling, with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology revealing that, as of March 28, 2026, a total of 8,376 URLs connected to such activities have been blocked or otherwise actioned. This information was shared in the Lok Sabha on April 1 in response to a parliamentary query regarding offshore digital platforms.
Enforcement Accelerates Post-2025 Law
The ministry reported that over 4,800 of these URLs were blocked following the introduction of the Online Gaming Act, 2025, which prohibits online money gaming. The law has become central to India’s regulatory efforts to curb illegal gambling and betting conducted via online platforms. Enforcement measures have reportedly expanded steadily since the law’s enactment.
Legal Framework for Regulation
Several laws govern India’s stance on online betting and gambling. The IT Act, 2000, alongside IT Rules, 2021, require intermediaries including offshore platforms to exercise due diligence and prevent illegal content. Other legislation includes the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which criminalizes unauthorised betting with penalties ranging from one to seven years’ imprisonment and fines, and the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which specifically targets online money gaming and related financial transactions.
The Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017, also plays a role by imposing a 28% GST on online gaming revenues, with the Directorate General of GST Intelligence empowered to block unregistered or offshore gambling sites. Together, these rules form the backbone of the government’s regulatory and enforcement approach.
Offshore Platforms Still Accessible
Despite the crackdown, offshore gambling platforms continue to see high engagement. A December 2025 study by CUTS International in Delhi NCR found that usage of such platforms rose from 68.3% before the ban to 82% afterward, with daily activity increasing from 3.4% to 42.3%. Users are reportedly using mirror domains and domestic payment methods like UPI to bypass restrictions. Similar patterns were observed in Tamil Nadu, where offshore usage grew 15.2% following the ban.
Market Scale and Challenges
The offshore gaming market remains large, with estimates from a MediaNama panel discussion suggesting it is worth around $20 billion. Tax evasion linked to offshore platforms reportedly exceeds $4 billion, surpassing domestic industry revenues. These figures highlight the scale of the challenge, showing that while India’s enforcement measures are ongoing, blocking URLs alone may not be sufficient to curb offshore gambling activity.
