Radical Anti-Gambling Figure in India Accuses Unlawful Elements of Abduction Attempt
The Supreme Court of India has initiated consultations for a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) seeking a ban on illegal online betting and real-money gaming apps. The litigation, filed by Dr K.A. Paul, an evangelist and politician, aims to protect the youth and vulnerable in India from the harms of online gambling.
The PIL raises concerns over the risk posed to over 300 million Indian youth from unchecked online betting platforms, which often operate in violation of the Public Gambling Act. The petitioner has requested interim relief to restrain celebrities, including cricketers, from endorsing these apps and media from promoting them, as young people are influenced by their role models to use these apps.
The Court has sought responses from the Union government and all states, aiming to establish comprehensive regulation or prohibition at the central level. The problem is compounded by the proliferation of many similar apps appearing after any single ban, making enforcement challenging.
Investigations are ongoing into several celebrities who have endorsed such apps, including Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, and Harbhajan Singh, to ascertain if they were aware of the illegal nature of these platforms. The economic scale of this market is enormous, with millions of users and huge revenue flows, highlighting the complexity of regulation and enforcement.
Some states are exploring resolutions under Article 252 of the Constitution to enable a nationwide ban via parliamentary legislation. At present, Goa, Daman, and Sikkim are the only Indian states with regulated online gaming markets.
The litigation also brings attention to the issue of celebrities advertising these illegal apps. Dr K.A. Paul, the petitioner, claims he was almost kidnapped in Delhi over the weekend due to his work against online betting apps. He attributes this attempted kidnapping to the widespread harm and loss of life caused by these apps.
Paul and co-plaintiffs are urging politicians to take action against online gambling apps, citing multiple instances of suicide over betting debts. The Supreme Court is actively considering a ban on illegal online betting apps, addressing concerns over youth harm, celebrity endorsements, and suicide cases related to betting debts, while also pressing for comprehensive legal and regulatory reforms.
The next key hearing dates have been set for mid-August 2025, indicating ongoing judicial scrutiny. Dr K.A. Paul has requested security from Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, emphasizing the gravity of the situation.
[1] News Article 1 [2] News Article 2 [3] News Article 3 [4] News Article 4 [5] News Article 5
- The Supreme Court's PIL on online betting and gaming apps has brought gambling trends into the limelight of general news, with discussions around the political landscape, as the Union government and states are being asked to respond regarding comprehensive regulation.
- As the Supreme Court contemplates a ban on illegal online betting apps, the issue of crime and justice comes into focus, with investigations into celebrity endorsements and their knowledge of the illegal nature of these platforms, as well as concerns over potential harm to the youth and suicide cases related to betting debts.
