for early access to the latest igaming videos!
and get the latest igaming news first!
The Indian government has blocked 242 more websites that are involved in illegal betting and gambling, taking the total number of blocked websites beyond the 7,800 mark. This move comes after the implementation of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming (PROG) Act, which brings an end to online money gaming in the country. This act is part of the efforts to protect users from dangerous websites. The move comes as part of efforts to protect users from dangerous websites.
Surge in Actions Post-PROG Act
The PROG Act has significantly increased the number of enforcement actions against sites that operate around the ban on online money gaming. The PROG Act is cited as the major force behind the increased number of blocks, with the latest 242 sites contributing to a total of over 7,800 sites blocked. The move is intended to starve the illegal sites of their source of income. This is part of efforts to protect users from dangerous platforms.
Focus on User Protection
What the government did lately shows it cares about keeping players safe, particularly younger people, from dangers on unregulated sites. Stopping entry to such websites aims to reduce money lost through unlawful online betting. An official mentioned this step fits into broader plans meant to keep monetary harm from growing.
Ties to Draft Regulatory Framework
This blocking wave unfolds alongside ongoing work to flesh out rules for the online gaming space. In October 2025, the central government released draft PROG Rules tied to the Act, inviting public comments. Though those rules surfaced months ago, they haven’t been formally approved. Without that step, parts of sector oversight remain unsettled.
The PROG Act itself sets the tone by outright prohibiting online money gaming, shifting focus toward permissible alternatives while cracking down hard on violators. With takedowns accelerating under its banner, the approach blends immediate site blocks with longer-term regulatory shaping to reshape how gaming operates legally in India.
Building Momentum Against Illegals
As the total blocked sites climb well beyond 7,800, the pattern shows a clear rise in government resolve post the Act’s passage. Each fresh batch of 242 like this one reinforces the barrier against illegal betting outfits preying on users. Protecting youth stands out as a core priority, alongside tackling the economic and societal ripples from unchecked gambling platforms.
Regulatory Path Forward
Draft rules from last October remain a key piece in the puzzle, having drawn public comments but awaiting an official stamp. Until finalized, the PROG framework guides both blocks and future compliance for any allowed gaming forms. Officials frame the ongoing blocks as vital to curbing harms now, while rules take shape to guide the sector cleanly ahead.
Source: Hindustan Times
