On April 1, 2026, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology of India revealed that, until March 28, 2026, 8,367 websites connected to online betting and gambling...
India faces online betting crisis: 7 deaths in just a month
In just a month, seven people have tragically lost their lives in Telangana, India, due to online betting, a worrying sign of how serious this issue has become.
Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has announced the formation of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to crack down on digital gambling, which is officially banned in the state. Despite the ban, many people are still able to access betting apps using VPNs.
Of the seven reported deaths, six were suicides. One man was murdered by another betting addict. One of the most heartbreaking cases involved a student who died by suicide after losing over $300 during the IPL season. His family said he had started using betting apps like Slice, Lucky Kismat, and JDB Gaming.
Another young man, just 25, ended his life after gambling away money he’d saved for his sister’s wedding. A 22-year-old met the same fate after falling deep into debt from betting losses.
Many of these victims had taken loans from friends or borrowed from illegal lending apps. Their financial troubles quickly got out of control.
Authorities say that while Indian betting platforms have tried to block access from Telangana, unregulated and foreign-operated apps are still being widely used.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in India?
The gambling landscape in India varies from state to state. Some states legalized gambling, while in other states it is still illegal.
What is the legal gambling age in India?
The legal gambling age in India is 21.
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