India isn’t fighting online betting with one single new bill this year — it’s tightening the rules already in place. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which came into force on May 1, 2026, along with its accompanying rules, has become the main tool the government is using to go after illegal betting, and in 2026 that fight has clearly widened to include crypto platforms and influencer marketing.
What the Law Actually Bans
The law splits online gaming into three buckets: e-sports, social games, and online money games. Only the last one is banned outright. That means any platform offering real-money wagering, whether it’s disguised as fantasy sports, casino-style games, or straight-up betting, is illegal. Foreign platforms aren’t exempt either. If they accept Indian users for money-based gaming, they’re breaking the law too.
Why Crypto Platforms Are a Bigger Target
One of the trickier problems regulators are dealing with is crypto-denominated betting. Since these platforms move money outside normal banking channels, they’re harder to track and shut down. The newly formed Online Gaming Authority of India is working closely with the finance ministry on this, since crypto and stablecoin payments tied to betting fall squarely into money laundering territory. Banks, UPI providers, and card networks are all now expected to block or restrict transactions linked to these platforms.
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Influencers Are No Longer Off the Hook
A big shift in enforcement this year has been the focus on influencers. Betting platforms have long leaned on social media personalities, cricket content, and prediction-tip pages to pull in younger users who might not even realise they’re being steered toward gambling. Regulators are now actively watching influencer marketing, and the information and broadcasting ministry has the power to act when celebrity or influencer endorsements cross the line into promoting banned betting apps.
Users Aren’t Being Punished, Operators Are
One thing officials have been clear about: the people placing bets aren’t the ones facing penalties. The law is built to go after operators, advertisers, promoters, and anyone facilitating payments for illegal betting, not the everyday user. That’s already shown results, with over 240 illegal betting and gambling websites shut down since enforcement picked up.
Summary: India has ramped up enforcement under its online gaming law, going after crypto-denominated betting platforms and influencers who push betting apps. Users won’t be penalised, but operators, promoters and payment channels are now in the crosshairs.
