India Blocks 8,376 Online Betting Sites Despite Offshore Gambling Surge

India has intensified its efforts to curb online gambling by blocking 8,376 websites linked to betting and gaming activities as of March 28, 2026. This information was revealed in a recent response to an unstarred question in the Lok Sabha, highlighting the government’s ongoing battle against offshore digital platforms that continue to operate despite legal restrictions.

The majority of these blocks—over 4,800 URLs—were enforced after the implementation of the Online Gaming Act, 2025, which outlaws online money gaming. This legislation has become a cornerstone of India’s strategy to combat illegal betting activities through digital channels. The government’s actions are supported by existing laws such as the IT Act, 2000 and IT Rules, 2021, which mandate intermediaries, including offshore platforms, to exercise due diligence and prevent the dissemination of illegal content.

Legal consequences for unauthorized betting and gambling activities are severe under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, which imposes imprisonment ranging from 1 year to 7 years and fines. Additionally, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 further prohibits financial transactions and advertisements related to online money gaming. The Integrated Goods and Services Tax Act, 2017 also plays a role, imposing a 28% GST on gambling activities and facilitating the blocking of unregistered offshore sites through the Directorate General of GST Intelligence.

Offshore Betting Persists Despite Crackdown

Despite these measures, offshore betting platforms continue to thrive. A study by CUTS International in Delhi NCR from December 2025 revealed a significant increase in usage, rising from 68.3% before the ban to 82% afterward, marking a 20.1% surge. Daily access jumped dramatically from 3.4% to 42.3%, with users spending more time and money on these platforms. The survey also highlighted the use of mirror domains and domestic payment methods like UPI to bypass restrictions.

A separate survey in Tamil Nadu in January 2026 showed a 15.2% rise in offshore platform usage post-ban, indicating that the problem persists across different regions. The scale of the offshore gambling market was further emphasized in a MediaNama panel discussion in September 2025, where Dhruv Garg, Partner at IGAP, estimated the market to be worth a conservative $20 billion. He noted that this money was leaving the country illegally, with tax evasion exceeding $4 billion, surpassing revenues from India’s domestic industry.

The government’s ongoing enforcement efforts, though substantial, have proven insufficient to fully eradicate offshore betting. With thousands of sites already blocked and offshore platforms continually finding ways to remain accessible, the issue remains a significant challenge for regulators.