The Supreme Court of India, on a Friday hearing, agreed to examine a plea seeking a complete ban on "illegal" betting apps across the country. The petition also called for stricter regulations on online gaming and fantasy sports, and urged the enactment of a comprehensive law to govern these activities. The case was presented before a bench comprising Justices Surya Kant and N.K. Singh, who issued a notice to the Central Government and sought its response. However, the court refrained from issuing notices to state governments at this stage.

The petitioner behind the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) described himself as a prominent social activist, humanitarian, and President of the Global Peace Initiative, an organization committed to promoting peace and justice worldwide. He emphasized that the PIL was filed to protect millions of people and to safeguard the sanity and democratic values of India by banning illegal betting applications.

The petition made specific references to an FIR registered in March 2025 in Telangana against 25 Bollywood celebrities, cricketers, and social media influencers accused of misleading the public by promoting betting apps. The petitioner also highlighted a tragic news report concerning the suicides of 24 people in Telangana who were unable to repay debts accumulated through online betting.

The petitioner stressed that the petition was directly filed in the Supreme Court to protect Indian youth and vulnerable citizens from the dangers of unregulated online betting and gambling. These activities are often disguised as fantasy sports and skill-based gaming, masking their true exploitative nature.

The plea argued that betting—whether conducted online or offline—is essentially a game of chance rather than a game of skill, which places it within the ambit of gambling. Gambling is prohibited in many Indian states under the Public Gambling Act of 1867. Despite this, there is currently no uniform central legislation to regulate online betting, creating a regulatory gap and allowing exploitative practices to flourish unchecked.

The petitioner underlined that the filing of the plea was motivated by larger public interest—to protect the youth of India from the unregulated, exploitative, and dangerous online betting industry that operates under the pretext of fantasy sports and skill-based gaming. The absence of adequate legal oversight not only endangers individuals financially but also poses serious threats to public health and social stability.

Adding to his credentials, the petitioner claimed to be a globally recognized Peace Ambassador, having been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize by several countries, including the United States, Norway, Sudan, and India. His work includes peace efforts that contributed to halting several major wars and humanitarian initiatives that rescued 310 orphans and street children worldwide.

In conclusion, the Supreme Court’s decision to consider this plea reflects growing concerns about the impact of unregulated online betting apps on society, especially the youth. The court's action signals the importance of introducing comprehensive laws and stringent regulations to control the betting industry and prevent its harmful social consequences. The case also brings attention to the role of celebrities and influencers in promoting betting platforms and the resultant legal and ethical issues. As this matter progresses, it could lead to landmark rulings that significantly shape the governance of online betting and gaming in India.