Mumbai, June 1
A new report on Sunday raised serious concerns about the growing threat of illegal online gambling platforms in India, especially to vulnerable groups like minors and young adults.
The report by public policy think tank CUTS International warns that these platforms are not only targeting impressionable users with addictive, high-risk games but are also bypassing basic safety checks, such as age verification and identity confirmation.
It highlights that the scale of the problem is massive. Between April 2024 and March 2025, there were more than 5.4 billion visits to the top 15 illegal gambling platforms, spread across 40 mirror websites.
Some platforms like Parimatch, 1xBet, Stake, Fairplay, and BateryBet are among the most visited.
In fact, Parimatch's web traffic in March 2025 was higher than popular platforms like Google India, Amazon, Wikipedia, and Hotstar, revealing the alarming reach of these operations.
CUTS International estimates that users are depositing close to $100 billion annually into these illegal betting platforms.
Many of these platforms are based overseas and use loopholes in India's payment systems and advertising networks to operate freely, posing a major risk to both consumer safety and national security.
Pradeep Mehta, Founder and Secretary General of CUTS International, said that illegal gambling operators are exploiting India's digital infrastructure while evading any form of accountability.
"This presents a major national security threat and also exposes Indian consumers to serious harm," Mehta said at the report's release.
One of the most disturbing findings of the report is how easily minors can access these gambling sites.
These platforms often avoid even the most basic checks like KYC (Know Your Customer) or age verification.
Some even offer cash-on-delivery payment options, allowing teenagers with no access to digital wallets or cards to gamble repeatedly without any supervision.
The use of high-stakes, psychologically addictive game designs makes them even more dangerous for young, sensation-seeking users.
The report also reveals how these platforms attract such massive traffic. Around 66 per cent of users visit directly, often through saved links, private messages, or bookmarks, giving a false impression of trust and legitimacy.
Big media campaigns, celebrity endorsements, billboards, and SEO-boosted search visibility further increase their reach.
— IANS
Reader Comments
This is truly shocking! As a parent, I'm horrified that my teenager could be just one click away from gambling addiction. The government must block these foreign platforms immediately. Why are we allowing them to exploit our youth? 😡
The numbers are mind-blowing - 5.4 billion visits?! I've seen these gambling ads everywhere - during cricket matches, on social media, even YouTube. Celebrities promoting them should be ashamed. They're destroying young lives for money.
While I agree this is a serious issue, banning alone won't work. We need better digital literacy programs in schools to teach kids about online risks. Also, payment gateways must be held accountable for processing these transactions.
My cousin lost ₹2 lakh on one of these sites last year. The worst part? He's only 19! His family had to take loans to pay his debts. These platforms are worse than drugs - at least drugs are illegal. Why the double standards?
The cash-on-delivery option for gambling is pure evil genius. No bank records, no digital trail. These foreign operators know exactly how to bypass our systems. RBI and IT Ministry need to wake up before more families are ruined.
I disagree with the national security angle being overplayed. The real issue is about protecting our youth. Instead of blocking Chinese apps, our cyber security should focus on these predatory gambling sites first. Priorities need to change!
Here are 6 diverse Indian perspective comments for the article: We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.