The rapid development of online gambling and fantasy gaming platforms in India is raising increasing concerns about addiction and financial exploitation.
24-year-old Kanpur graduate student Pradeep Kumar has been battling gambling addiction for two years. To satisfy his addiction, he frequently borrows from multiple sources.
His mother Ranjani told reporters, "Once, he lost over 125,000 rupees (about 1,350 euros) on a cricket app and nearly broke down. Although we took him for psychological therapy, he relapsed repeatedly. These apps keep promising easy money, which is hard to resist."
Kumar's experience is not an isolated case in India. More and more young people are suffering huge losses due to gambling addiction, placing a heavy burden on their families.
In the southern state of Telangana, gambling apps are also rapidly gaining popularity. Last year, a family of three in Nizamabad tragically chose to commit suicide because they could not repay the 3 million rupees (about 32,400 euros) in debts accumulated by their son's online gambling.
A rapidly expanding industry
India currently has over 140 million users regularly participating in online gambling and betting activities, with numbers even soaring to 370 million during major events like the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Meanwhile, fantasy gaming is also rapidly rising, becoming an important part of the online gaming industry. Platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, and MPL allow players to form virtual teams and win points based on the real-life performances of players.
According to a 2023 report by the think tank Think Change Forum, users of sports fantasy gaming platforms in India have exceeded 180 million, with more than 300 active platforms. Among these, cricket platforms account for 85% of the revenue, followed by football, which accounts for more than 6%.
The report points out that the proliferation of smartphones, improvements in digital infrastructure, and widespread endorsements by celebrities and influencers are key factors driving market growth.
Experts warn: Addiction cycles and psychological crises
New Delhi psychiatrist Achal Bhagat points out that addiction to gambling apps not only threatens personal financial security but can also disrupt interpersonal relationships. "Once gambling behavior permeates daily life, professional help should be sought."
Anjali Nagpal, a neuropsychiatrist focusing on addiction issues, emphasizes that "gambling disorder" is quietly spreading in India and is gradually being normalized.
Nagpal notes that celebrity endorsements on social media reinforce a false sense of security, leading young people to underestimate the risks. "A few small wins are enough to activate the dopamine reward mechanism in the brain, creating a sense of achievement. Once the pursuit of greater rewards begins, it is easy to fall into a vicious cycle from which it is difficult to escape."
She warns that gambling addiction can lead to severe financial losses, debt, family conflicts, and mental health issues, and calls for swift action through stronger legislation.
Regulatory dilemmas and legislative challenges
The Indian government has begun taking measures to combat illegal gambling apps. Especially during the lucrative IPL cricket season, the Directorate General of Goods and Services Tax Intelligence (DGGI) has intensified its scrutiny of offshore gambling platforms.
It is reported that about 700 offshore entities involved in online gambling are now under close surveillance. However, an official who wished to remain anonymous revealed that governance is extremely difficult: "Many illegal apps are hosted in places like Curaçao, Malta, and Cyprus, where regulation is very lax, leading to a staggering number of illegal platforms."
According to estimates by the Think Change Forum, India loses up to 100 billion US dollars annually through illegal sports betting moving abroad.
Some illegal platforms even disguise themselves as fantasy gaming platforms, attempting to exploit legal loopholes. Indian law recognizes "fantasy games" as activities that rely on knowledge and skills, while gambling is classified as luck-based betting, creating a significant regulatory disparity.
The blurred lines: The confusion between video games and gambling apps
Rushindra Sinha, co-founder of the Global Esports Federation, points out that some gambling platforms are using the popularity and trust of video games to mask their true nature. He emphasizes, "Real esports is about skill and competition, while gambling apps rely on luck and betting, which are completely different."
Sinha calls for clearer distinctions between gambling and fantasy games and stronger protections for young users. "Especially when the target audience is teenagers who lack risk awareness, regulation becomes particularly important. This is not only to regulate innovation but also to protect user safety and maintain platform integrity."
