India’s Supreme Court to review plea seeking ban on betting and fantasy sports apps

India’s Supreme Court said on Friday (May 23) that it will look into a plea calling for a complete ban on what the petitioner described as “illegal” betting apps. The petition also pushes for tougher rules on online gaming and fantasy sports, along with a clear law to govern what the petitioner claims is being run under the guise of skill-based gaming.

According to the Economic Times, a bench made up of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh issued a notice to the Centre, asking for its response. However, they decided not to involve the state governments just yet.

The person who filed the petition identified himself as “a prominent social activist, humanitarian, and President of Global Peace Initiative, which is dedicated to promoting peace and justice globally.” He said he filed the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to protect millions of people in the country by banning these “illegal” betting platforms.

In support of the case, the petition also mentioned an FIR that was registered earlier in March in the southern state of Telangana. It targeted 25 Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, and influencers, accusing them of misleading the public by promoting betting apps.

The petition also pointed to a news report about a tragic series of events in Telangana, where 24 people reportedly died by suicide after falling into debt because of online betting.

‘Safeguarding Indian youth and vulnerable individuals’

According to the plea, it was filed directly with the Supreme Court to protect Indian youth and other vulnerable individuals from the dangers of unregulated online betting and gambling, which, it claims, are often disguised as fantasy sports or skill-based games.

The claimant said the move was taken in “the larger public interest to safeguard the youth of India from the unregulated, exploitative, and dangerous online betting industry operating under the garb of fantasy sports and skill-based gaming.”

The petition went on to argue that “betting, both online and offline, is inherently a game of chance, not a game of skill, and hence falls within the ambit of gambling, which is prohibited in many states under the Public Gambling Act, 1867.” It also pointed out that there’s currently no single, uniform central law to regulate online betting in India.

India’s Supreme Court to decide on betting and gambling apps

As we’ve previously reported, India’s fantasy sports market is booming. The industry is expected to see a big boost, with projections showing a 25% to 30% increase from 2024. But this rapid growth is happening even as the Supreme Court is deciding whether fantasy sports should be treated as gambling and taxed accordingly.

The decision could have a major impact on the future of the sector, especially as questions grow around whether these platforms are really about skill or simply another form of betting.

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