The Supreme Court of India has agreed to hear a plea asking for a complete ban on illegal betting apps. The petition also wants strict laws for online gaming and fantasy sports and the creation of a new, proper law to control these activities.

The case was heard by a bench of Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh. They sent a notice to the central government, asking for a reply. However, they did not send notices to the state governments at this time.

The person who filed the petition claims to be “a prominent social activist, humanitarian, and President of Global Peace Initiative, which is dedicated to promoting peace and justice globally.” He said he filed this petition in the public interest to “protect the sanity and democracy in India” by banning illegal betting apps.

Concern over suicide cases and celebrity endorsements

The petition referred to a case filed in Telangana in March this year against 25 celebrities, including Bollywood actors, cricketers, and influencers. They were accused of misleading people by promoting betting apps. The petition also mentioned a news article that reported 24 people in Telangana died by suicide after falling into debt because of online betting.

According to the plea, “Betting, both online and offline, is inherently a game of chance, not a game of skill,” and therefore, it is gambling. The petitioner said gambling is banned in many states under the Public Gambling Act, 1867. He added that there is no single central law in India to manage or control online betting.

He also said the petition was filed directly in the Supreme Court “to safeguard Indian youth and vulnerable citizens from the perils of unregulated online betting and gambling, often disguised as fantasy sports and skill-based gaming.”

The petitioner further stated he is a “globally recognised peace ambassador”, nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by countries such as the US, Norway, Sudan, and India, and claimed to have rescued 310 orphans and street children worldwide.

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