On Friday, the Supreme Court directed the Union government to spell out, within two weeks, the measures it proposes to counter the “deleterious impact” of online betting applications on youth, noting that financial distress caused by such platforms has, in some cases, led to suicide.
The proceedings arose from a public interest litigation filed by K.A. Paul seeking a complete ban on illegal betting applications and tighter regulation of online gaming and fantasy sports platforms. The petitioner alleged that these platforms are aggressively promoted by celebrities, luring young users into debt traps. It was further contended that the Public Gambling Act, 1867, is ill-equipped to address the challenges posed by digital betting, and that over 24 suicides in Telangana in the past eighteen months have been linked to such platforms.
Appearing for the Centre, counsel submitted that another Bench is examining whether these applications constitute gambling, a finding that could result in their prohibition. The decision in that matter, it was added, would directly affect the reliefs sought in the present petition.
A Bench of Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi remarked that the government did not appear to be taking the problem seriously. It directed the Centre to specify in an affidavit “what remedial measures it is contemplating after applying mind to the gravity of the issue” and issued notices to certain States, the Reserve Bank of India, the Enforcement Directorate, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India, Google India, Apple India, Dream11, and other gaming companies, requiring responses within two weeks.
The Court fixed the matter for further hearing after the expiry of the deadline for filing affidavits and responses from all concerned parties.
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