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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Nightclub fire: Goa court remands Luthra brothers in police custody for five days
Panaji (PTI): A court in North Goa on Wednesday remanded Gaurav and Saurabh Luthra, co-owners of the ‘Birch by Romeo Lane’ nightclub, in police custody for five days.
The brothers, brought to Goa from Delhi after being deported from Thailand in connection with the December 6 blaze that killed 25, were produced in the court after undergoing health check-ups twice at the District Hospital in North Goa.
Judicial Magistrate First Class Mapusa Puja Sardesai remanded the two brothers in police custody for five days.
Advocate Vishnu Joshi, representing Bhavana Joshi who lost four family members in the tragedy, said that the accused were asking for “special consideration” claiming poor health.
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“We said they should not be given any extra relaxation,” he said, adding that the court has taken cognisance of the fact that this is about the death of “25 people in the form of mass genocide”.
“But since they kept pressing for medical check-up, the court ordered reexamination of their health. It is clear in the medical examination that they don’t require any consideration. The accused sought special considerations in the lock-up like a good mattress, which the court refused,” said Joshi.
A team of the Goa Police, along with the Luthra brothers, arrived at the Manohar International Airport, Mopa, in North Goa at 10.45 am.
The duo was initially taken to a Primary Health Centre at Siolim for medical examination. They were then taken to the District Hospital at Mapusa.
After their health assessment, the two were brought to the court.
The court directed that the accused be sent for fresh medical examination. Accordingly, the two were again taken to the District Hospital.
Later, they were produced before Judge Sardesai, who ordered the five-day police custody of the accused.
After the fire tragedy at Arpora village, the Anjuna police had registered a case against the Luthra brothers on various charges, including culpable homicide not amounting to murder.
The brothers were arrested in Delhi on Tuesday after being deported from Thailand. A court there allowed the Goa Police their two-day transit remand.
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The duo had fled to Phuket in Thailand early on December 7, hours after the fire at their nightclub, prompting the authorities to issue an Interpol Blue Corner Notice and cancel their passports.
They were detained by Thai authorities at Phuket on December 11 following a request from the Indian government, which later coordinated with officials in Thailand to deport them under legal treaties between the two nations.
Five managers and staff members have already been arrested by the Goa Police in connection with the fire.
