Kartik Srinivas (name changed) still flinches at the mention of online betting. What began as a thrill to earn a quick buck spiralled into a five-year addiction that cost the 26-year-old his savings, peace of mind and nearly his future.
Between 2019 and 2024, Srinivas lost more than 1.5m rupees ($17,000; £13,000). The money included three years of his earnings, as well as savings and loans from friends and family.
"I tried everything - apps, local bookies, international platforms. I was hooked," he says.
By 2024, he was neck-deep in losses.
Srinivas' story reflects the darker side of India's once booming Real Money Games (RMG) industry - where players use online platforms to bet cash on poker, fantasy sports and other games.
