The Supreme Court agreed to hear on Friday (October 17, 2025) a PIL filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) seeking directions to the Centre to prohibit online gambling and betting platforms that allegedly operate under the guise of social and esports games.
A bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice K. Vinod Chandran took note of the submissions of lawyer Virag Gupta, appearing for the CASC, on Thursday and agreed to hear the PIL on October 17.
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The plea has sought a direction to Union Ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, Information and Broadcasting, Finance and Youth Affairs and Sports “to do a harmonious interpretation of provisions of Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and laws made by State Legislatures, to prohibit online gambling and betting games operating in the guise of social and esports games.”
The petition, filed on October 13 through advocates Virag Gupta and Rupali Panwar, names six respondents, including four Union ministries and the two leading app store operators, Apple Inc. and Google India Pvt. Ltd.
