Online Gambling Banned Under New Indian Law. India’s Parliament has passed a major law banning online gambling. The decision follows government data showing that 450 million people lose a combined $2.3 billion each year through gambling apps.
The new law targets platforms offering card games, poker, and fantasy sports. This includes India’s hugely popular fantasy cricket apps.
The government estimates that around one-third of the population has lost money through online gambling.
Passed late Thursday, the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill criminalizes the promotion, funding, and operation of gambling platforms. Violators could face up to five years in prison.
“This law is meant to fight addiction, financial ruin, and the social harm caused by predatory platforms that promise quick wealth,” the government said in a statement.
India’s gaming industry is one of the largest globally. However, the law makes exceptions for e-sports and educational games. These will be supported as part of the digital economy.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the law would promote e-sports and safe social games, while protecting people from the dangers of gambling.
Industry groups had pushed for regulation and taxation instead of an outright ban. They warned that users might turn to illegal offshore sites.
Still, supporters of the law believe the social risks are too high to ignore. Officials link online gambling to financial hardship, addiction, and even suicide. They also cite links to fraud, money laundering, and terrorism financing.
Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said the law clearly separates social and educational games from those played for money.
“It supports competitive e-sports and safe digital recreation,” said a government note. “But it firmly bans betting, gambling, and fantasy money games that mislead users with promises of profit.”
While earlier this year, Pakistan’s Parliament has passed the Digital Nation Bill 2025. The law enables mobile access to government services, introduces a unified digital ID system, and establishes the National Digital Commission and Pakistan Digital Authority to oversee and implement the country’s digital roadmap.
Angola Launches High-Speed Satellite Internet, Boosting Online Gambling and Gaming
Angola has activated high-speed, low-latency satellite internet, expanding digital access to remote regions and accelerating growth in the online gaming and gambling sectors.
Launched on August 8 by Internet Technologies Angola (ITA), part of the Paratus Group, the service includes a new OneWeb teleport facility in Luanda. The setup connects Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellites to end users, delivering reliable internet across the country.
ITA General Director Francisco Pinto Leite said the new connectivity “breaks down geographical barriers,” while Paratus CEO Schalk Erasmus called it a “game-changer” for Angola and the wider region.
The move comes as Angola’s gaming and online gambling industry surges. In H1 2025, tax revenues reached Kz13.23bn (€12.8 m), up 64% year-on-year.
With LEO internet, players in rural areas can now access real-time gaming, esports, and betting platforms, opening new markets and ensuring fair, secure play across Angola.
