Supreme Court to hear challenges against Online Gaming Act; PIL seeks ban on gambling apps

The Supreme Court agreed to hear petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2026, while also taking up a PIL seeking action against alleged gambling platforms operating as social and e-sports games. The case questions the nationwide real-money gaming ban

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to accord final hearing to a batch of petitions challenging the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act which came into being in 2026.

The top court also agreed to hear a PIL filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) seeking directions to the Central government to prohibit online gambling and betting platforms that allegedly operate under the guise of social and e-sports games.

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A bench comprising Chief Justice Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi asked the lawyers for the parties including Solicitor General Tushar Mehta to complete the pleadings in the meantime.

During the brief hearing, lawyer Virag Gupta, appearing for the CASC, said that another bench led by Justice J B Pardiwala had asked the Centre to respond to his plea on October 17, 2025.

He said a list of 2,000 gaming apps, which were operating betting and gambling activities in India despite the law, was provided to the bench and the Centre.

He added that despite the previous two orders, the government is yet to file any reply to the petition.

The CASC has sought a direction to Union ministries of Electronics and Information Technology, Information and Broadcasting, Finance, and Youth Affairs and Sports “to do a harmonious interpretation of provisions of Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 and laws made by state legislatures, to prohibit online gambling and betting games operating in the guise of social and e-sports games”.

The CASC, represented by former Uttar Pradesh DGP Vikram Singh, and Shourya Tiwari, have urged the top court to direct the government to clamp down on the proliferation of betting and gambling applications, which they claim are inflicting widespread social and economic harm across the country.

Dr K A Paul is the lead petitioner in the batch of petitions which challenged various provisions of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, which came into effect on May 1, 2026.

It imposes a blanket nationwide ban on all Online Real Money Games (ORMG) regardless of whether they involve skill or chance.

One of the grounds is whether a complete ban on real-money gaming (including historical “games of skill” like rummy or poker) violates the fundamental right to carry on any trade or business.