Over 1,500 gambling sites, apps blocked since 2022: Centre tells Parliament
New Delhi, July 23: The Indian government has blocked 1,524 illegal online gambling websites and mobile applications since 2022, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) informed the Lok Sabha on Wednesday.
Responding to a written query raised by TDP MP Krishna Prasad Tenneti, Minister of State for IT Jitin Prasada said the blocking orders were issued to curb online betting and gambling platforms that violate Indian laws.
By February 2024, 1,410 such platforms had already been blocked, a figure earlier shared in Parliament by Union IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. The number has since grown, with more platforms being targeted for violating regulatory and taxation norms.
The crackdown comes amid increasing concerns over offshore gambling websites and apps that operate outside the purview of Indian tax laws and legal frameworks. The Directorate General of GST Intelligence (DGGI), empowered under the Information Technology Act and the Integrated Goods and Services Tax (IGST) Act, has been taking action against platforms not registered in India, including those operated by foreign entities.
The government has made it mandatory for online gaming platforms — both domestic and international — to register under the IGST Act. All online games involving monetary transactions are now subject to 28% Goods and Services Tax (GST).
While the Centre has not revealed the names of the blocked platforms or any state-wise details, it maintained that steps are being taken to support state governments and Union Territories by issuing advisories and extending financial support for capacity building among law enforcement agencies.
“The policies of the central government are aimed at ensuring an open, safe, trusted and accountable internet for its users,” said Jitin Prasada in his reply.
Several of the blocked platforms had reportedly reached Indian users through digital advertisements, often using surrogate advertising strategies on major platforms like Google and Meta to conceal their gambling nature.
In connection with a money laundering probe into illegal online betting operations, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned executives from Google and Meta. They are expected to appear before the agency on July 28 and provide their statements under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
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AIITA welcomes Karnataka’s ban on obscene songs in school events
Bhatkal: The Karnataka unit of the All India Ideal Teachers Association (AIITA) has welcomed the Karnataka government’s decision to strictly ban school children from dancing to obscene songs during educational and cultural programmes in government, aided, and private schools across the state.
AIITA Karnataka State President M. R. Manvi congratulated the government for taking what he termed an important step to preserve the sanctity of education.
“Such decisions to safeguard the dignity of school children and uphold the values of education are the need of the hour. This rule should not be limited to government schools alone but must be strictly implemented in all private educational institutions as well,” he said.
He further urged the government to address other concerns within school programmes.
“The government should not only prohibit obscene dances in the name of school anniversaries, but also ensure that plays and dialogues that incite religious hatred are avoided. Schools should be centres of harmony, not platforms for spreading hatred,” he added.
According to a recent circular issued by the Department of School Education and Literacy, obscene dances are adversely affecting the mental health and moral values of students.
In this regard, schools have been advised to use songs that promote nationalism, positive thinking, the greatness of Kannada culture, and value-based traditions instead of inappropriate content during programmes.
The circular also emphasises that students should be dressed in decent attire.
AIITA also backed the department’s warning that disciplinary action would be taken against head teachers if such guidelines are violated. The association has further demanded that district Deputy Directors of Public Instruction strictly monitor the implementation of these rules.
