India’s Supreme Court to hear final challenges to Online Gaming Act
The court will review petitions against the nationwide ban on online real-money games and a separate plea targeting betting platforms allegedly operating as social and esports games.
India.- The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hold final hearings on a series of petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act (PROGA), the law that introduced a nationwide ban on online real-money games. A bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant directed all parties to complete their pleadings before the case proceeds.
Among the main constitutional questions before the court is whether the ban on online real-money games, including traditional skill-based titles such as rummy and poker, violates the constitutional right to conduct a lawful trade or business.
The court will also hear a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), which is seeking government action against online gambling and betting platforms allegedly operating under the guise of social gaming and esports. According to CASC, around 2,000 gaming applications continue to offer betting and gambling services despite the new legal framework. The organisation said the government has yet to respond to an earlier court order on the matter.
The petition also seeks restrictions on celebrity and influencer endorsements of betting platforms, arguing that such promotions encourage young people to gamble and contribute to financial harm.
