The Government of India has recently banned 242 websites suspected of illegal gambling and gambling, and the total number of sites currently blocked has exceeded 7,800. This is the latest initiative in the implementation of the Online Games Promotion and Regulation Act (PROG) aimed at strengthening user protection and preventing exposure to risk sites, especially for young people.

The implementation of the PROG Act has become a major driving force in the fight against illegal online gold games in India. Since the entry into force of the Act, law enforcement has carried out large-scale blockades of the gaming sites that bypass the ban. This new blockade of 242 websites further cut off the main source of revenue for illegal websites, marking another intensification of the Government ‘ s efforts to maintain cybersecurity and financial order. Government officials indicated that this was an expression of the authorities ‘ determination to protect players, especially young groups, from illegal websites. Restriction of access to such websites will effectively reduce financial losses caused by citizens’ input on the illegal line. The official stressed that this action was part of a broader plan to prevent the spread of financial risk.

At present, the embargo goes hand in hand with the construction of an online game regulatory system in India. As early as October 2025, the Central Government issued the Regulation on Online Game Management (Advisory Draft) in relation to the PROG Act and consulted the public. However, the draft legislation has not yet been formally approved, leaving some of the details of the regulation in a state of transition. The PROG Act explicitly prohibits any form of “line gold game” and shifts the focus of regulation to legal online entertainment, while imposing severe penalties on violators. Within the framework of the Act, the Government, on the one hand, is working to curb the spread of risk through fast-activated networks and, on the other hand, to improve the long-term regulatory system in order to restore the legal environment in which the entertainment industry in India operates.

With the number of blocked sites rising to more than 7,800, the trend shows the strong implementation of the Government after the adoption of the bill. Each blockade is another line of defence for illegal lottery operators. Protecting the safety of young users was a central goal, while the Government was working to reduce the economic loss and social impact of unregulated gambling. The draft rules issued in October last year remain a key link in the improvement of the regulatory system. Although social opinion has been sought, its formal approval is still pending. Until then, the embargo and future compliance orientation under the PROG Act will continue to dominate industry development.