Demand for a ban on online ‘Real Money Gaming’ and a law to regulate it

‘Surajya Abhiyan’ urges Indian government to enact law !

(Real Money Gaming refers to any form of online competition involving betting or investment, where one party wins the bet while the other loses. The winner often receives large sums of money.)

Online gambling

Mumbai – The ‘Surajya Abhiyan’, an initiative by the Hindu Janajagruti Samiti, has urged the Union government to immediately enact a law to ban and regulate online gambling games, including real money gaming, and the companies that advertise or sponsor them. Shri. Abhishek Murukate, Maharashtra State Coordinator of Surajya Abhiyan, has written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding this issue.

🎮 Ban & Regulate Online Real Money Gaming!

📢 @SurajyaCampaign urges the Govt to act against addictive gambling apps ruining lives.

📩 Maharashtra Coordinator @Abhi_Murukate writes to @PMOIndia

⚠️ Key Concerns:
1️⃣ ₹30,000 Cr industry, 500M+ users

2️⃣ Linked to addiction,… pic.twitter.com/kIpQIlKdtU

— Sanatan Prabhat (@SanatanPrabhat) July 26, 2025

Mr. Abhishek Murukate

Key points mentioned in the letter:

1.The online real money gaming industry generates an annual revenue of ₹30,000 crore for the government. Over 500 million people in India use such apps. While the sector encourages digital innovation, it also leads to addiction, financial ruin, increased criminal activity, and a worrying rise in suicides among the youth.

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2.Approximately 19.9% of adolescents in India show signs of online gaming addiction. Due to debts incurred from such games, at least 25 youngsters have committed suicide.

At Storyboard18’s Digital Entertainment Summit 2025, Dr. MC Sarangan, Member of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA), made a strong case for building a safe and responsible gaming environment in India.#tnoga #tamilnadu #tamilnadunews #TamilNaduGovernment #gaming pic.twitter.com/eJsUQDS577

— Storyboard18 (@Storyboard18_) July 9, 2025

3.With no central monitoring authority in place, online games sponsored by major bodies like the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) or companies like Dream11 pose a serious risk.

4.It is imperative to restrict celebrities, sportspersons and film actors from endorsing gambling apps with misleading advertisements, which have reportedly deceived numerous consumers.

5.To prevent damage to citizens across all social strata, the Union government must bring in a comprehensive law without delay.

Excellent stand by #Karnataka on Online Gaming ! @CMofKarnataka

🚨 #BREAKING: Karnataka tells SC – 'State can regulate betting to tackle the public health crisis'

📍 In contrast to other online gaming cases currently pending before the Court — many of which revolve around… https://t.co/1STZYw6clv

— Surajya Abhiyan (@SurajyaCampaign) July 25, 2025

Editorial Perspective

Such a demand should not have to be made in the first place – The public expects the government to take firm action against online games and gambling that are turning citizens into addicts.