Banned Betting Apps in India (2026) – Full List & Legal Status

Online betting has grown rapidly in India in recent years, driven by the popularity of sports and easy access to mobile apps. But along with this rise, many unregulated and illegal betting platforms have entered the market. These apps often bypass Indian laws, misuse user data, and involve serious financial risks. In response, the government has started banning such platforms to protect users and enforce stricter control over online gambling.

Full List of Banned Betting Apps in India:

The following betting platforms have been officially banned in India by government authorities such as the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) under laws like the IT Act (Section 69A) and the Online Gaming Act, 2025.

These apps were blocked due to illegal operations, financial violations, tax evasion, data misuse, or gambling promotion without licenses.

No.	App Name	Year Banned	Key Reasons for Ban
1	1xBet	2023	Offshore betting, illegal money flow, tax evasion
2	Parimatch	2023	No Indian license, promoted gambling
3	Betway	2023	Operated without Indian approval, payment security risks
4	Fairplay	2023	Misleading ads, unlicensed, crypto use
5	Mahadev Book	2023	Major illegal betting network, linked to money laundering
6	Reddy Anna	2023	Violated FEMA, crypto betting, no regulatory compliance
7	Lotus365	2023	Foreign operations, multiple user complaints
8	SkyExchange	2023	Offshore servers, disguised as gaming
9	MELBET	2023	Unlicensed casino and sports betting
10	Zodiac Casino	2023	Misleading offers, unregulated gambling
11	Fun88	2023	Promoted underage betting, payment risks
12	AndarBahar Poker	2023	Casino style games without a license
13	Big Winner	2023	Nonpayment of winnings, fraud reports
14	Onside Sports	2023	Masked betting behind the live score platform
15	PokerStars	2023	Failed Indian compliance, privacy risks
16	Betindi	2023	Unregulated, illegally targeting Indian users
17	Silver Luck	2023	Casino games lacked Indian registration
18	Winstler42	2025	Online Gaming Act violation, foreign operations
19	Casinohermes	2025	No license, fake promotions, crypto based transactions
20	Rajabets	2023	Listed on multiple blacklists, offshore betting activity

Legal and Safer Alternatives for Indian Users:

After the Online Gaming Act, 2025, several platforms adapted to continue operating legally in India. These apps now offer free to play formats, focus on skill based gaming, and reward users with non cash prizes like gift cards, gadgets, or merchandise.

App Name	Legal Status (2025)	Type of Games Offered	Rewards Offered
Dream11	Legal (Free to play only)	Fantasy sports (no entry fees)	Gift vouchers, merchandise
My11Circle	Legal (Free to play only)	Fantasy cricket and sports	Noncash prizes
MPL	Legal (No real money games)	Fantasy, esports, casual games	Free games with rewards
PlayerzPot	Legal	Fantasy leagues, puzzle games	Vouchers, gadgets
Vision11	Legal	Skill based fantasy sports	Smartphones, vouchers
Fantasy Akhada	Legal	100% free fantasy leagues	Sports merchandise, rewards
Fan2Play	Legal	Free entry fantasy contests	Prizes, not money
CrickPe	Legal	Fantasy cricket (no cash contests)	Noncash prize formats

These apps follow the law by avoiding real money stakes while still offering a competitive gaming experience.

Why Betting Apps Getting Banned in India?

The Indian government banned many betting apps due to serious violations of the law and user safety concerns. While online gaming has grown rapidly, several platforms have failed to operate within legal and ethical boundaries.

• Lack of Licensing: Most banned apps were run without valid licenses in India. Operating without government approval made them illegal by default.
• Gambling Law Violations: Apps offering sports betting, card games, or casino style games for real money breached laws like the Public Gambling Act, 1867.
• Financial Fraud & Money Laundering: Many platforms used foreign payment systems or cryptocurrency to move funds illegallyraising red flags under FEMA and tax laws.
• No Age Restrictions: Several apps allowed minors to access real money games, promoting gambling among underage users without verification.
• Addiction and Losses: These platforms used manipulative tactics to keep users engaged, often leading to financial losses and gambling addiction.
• Data Privacy Risk: Personal details like PAN, Aadhaar, and bank information were collected without consent, with little to no user protection.

Risks of Using Banned Betting Apps in India:

Using banned or unregulated betting apps may seem harmless at first, but it carries serious consequences both legally and financially. These platforms often operate without oversight, exposing users to a range of risks that go beyond just losing money.

1. Financial Losses Without Any Guarantee
Many users report being unable to withdraw winnings, or worse, having their accounts frozen after deposits. With no legal backing or customer support, recovering funds becomes nearly impossible.

2. Identity Theft and Data Misuse
Banned apps often collect sensitive details like Aadhaar numbers, PAN, and banking credentials. This information can be misused or sold to third parties without your knowledge.

3. Legal Consequences
Accessing or transacting on illegal platforms can lead to penalties under Indian laws. Under the Online Gaming Act 2025, users could face fines or even imprisonment in certain cases.

4. Gambling Addiction
These apps are designed to be addictive. Push notifications, initial small wins, and cashback offers are used to lure users into repeated play, often leading to unhealthy financial and emotional stress.

5. No Dispute Resolution or Protection
When things go wrong, there’s no help desk, no refunds, and no accountability. Since these apps are not legally recognized, users have no formal way to file complaints or seek compensation.

How Illegal Betting Apps Still Work in India?

These apps don’t follow legal procedures or platform guidelines. Instead, they use deceptive methods to stay active and avoid getting caught by authorities.

1. They run from foreign servers to avoid Indian laws and restrictions.
2. Instead of official app stores, they share APK files through Telegram, WhatsApp, or shady websites.
3. Payments are handled using cryptocurrencies, fake UPI IDs, or international wallets to bypass Indian banking systems.
4. They promote the apps through influencers, spam ads, and private groups rather than public platforms.
5. Users are often given early wins or fake cashback offers to build trust and encourage larger deposits.
6. There is no proper customer support once users lose money or face issues, there’s no one to contact.
7. Many apps keep changing names, logos, or domains to avoid detection and bans.

Tactics Used by Banned Apps:

To attract users and keep them spending money, banned betting apps use deceptive and manipulative strategies. These tactics are carefully designed to make users feel like they’re winning or getting something valuable until it’s too late.

1. Offer large welcome bonuses and “guaranteed” cashback to build early trust.
2. Show users fake wins in the beginning to encourage higher deposits later.
3. Use fake customer reviews and influencer promotions to appear trustworthy.
4. Disguise gambling as gaming, trading, or quiz apps to avoid suspicion.
5. Skip KYC or ID checks, making it easy for underage users to join.
6. Push frequent notifications urging users to bet again or not miss “limited time” offers.
7. Hide terms and conditions, especially related to withdrawals or bonus usage.
8. Manipulate odds or game outcomes to increase user losses over time.

Government Action on Banned Betting Apps:

Latest Update: Online Gaming Act 2025

India’s legal stance on online betting has undergone a major transformation in recent years, with the government intensifying its efforts to crack down on unregulated gambling platforms. The turning point came with the introduction and enforcement of the Online Gaming Act, 2025, which brought a clear nationwide framework to classify and restrict real money online gaming activities.

Stronger Oversight by Regulatory Authorities:

Before 2025, India relied primarily on older laws like the Public Gambling Act, 1867, along with provisions under the Information Technology Act (Section 69A) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). However, enforcement was fragmented and varied by state. Many illegal betting apps operated from overseas servers, evading local jurisdiction and payment regulations.

That changed with a coordinated push from multiple government bodies:

• Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) is responsible for blocking unauthorized apps and websites
• Enforcement Directorate (ED) is involved in investigating money laundering and financial fraud
• Income Tax Department is tasked with examining tax evasion linked to illegal betting platforms

By late 2023 and into 2024, these agencies collectively began banning high risk platforms and flagging offshore operators.

The Online Gaming Act, 2025: A Game Changer

In August 2025, the Online Gaming Bill received Presidential assent and officially became law. Known as the Online Gaming Act, 2025, it introduced the first centralized legal structure targeting real money online games in India.

Here’s a summary of what the law mandates:

Key Provision	Description
Ban on Money Based Gaming	All games involving real money  whether skill based or chance based  are prohibited
Advertising Restrictions	Promotions and advertisements of betting apps are no longer allowed on TV, digital media, or influencers
Payment Blocking	Banks, UPI, and credit card networks are barred from processing gambling related transactions
GeoBlocking of Illegal Platforms	Apps and websites running from foreign servers are being actively blocked
Penalties for Violations	Offenders may face up to 3 years in jail and significant monetary fines

Impact of the Law:

Since the Act came into effect, over 25 major betting apps have been officially banned, including well known names like Betway, 1xBet, Parimatch, and Fun88. Fantasy sports platforms that previously allowed cash based contests have had to pivot to free to play models, removing any paid entry or monetary rewards.

At the same time, the Act made a clear distinction between gambling and esports. Competitive online gaming that does not involve real money stakes such as tournaments offering prizes or merchandise is still permitted and recognized as legal.

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How to Stay Safe? Tips for Online Players

Whether you’re into fantasy sports or casual gaming, staying safe online is just as important as enjoying the game. Here are some simple but essential tips every user should follow:

1. Download only from official app stores like Google Play or Apple App Store. Avoid apps shared via Telegram, WhatsApp, or unknown websites.
2. Check if the platform is licensed or government approved. Legal apps will clearly mention their compliance and will not hide their ownership details.
3. Never share personal documents like Aadhaar, PAN, or banking details unless you’re sure the app is legitimate and secure.
4. Avoid apps that promise guaranteed winnings or show flashy offers with no terms explained. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
5. Set limits on your gameplay time and spending. Even on legal platforms, moderation is important to avoid getting carried away.
6. Don’t trust links from unknown sources or advertisements that push you to install “exclusive” or “new” betting apps.
7. Always read reviews and verify the app’s presence on social media or news before signing up.
8. Keep records of any transactions or communications with gaming platforms, especially if they involve prizes or rewards.

Fantasy Apps Heavily Affected by the Law:

Fantasy sports apps were among the most popular gaming platforms in India before 2025, offering paid contests with real cash prizes. However, the Online Gaming Act, 2025 brought a strict ban on all money based games regardless of whether they involved skill or chance.

As a result, major fantasy platforms had to shut down their paid offerings and shift to free to play formats to stay compliant. While some have suspended operations entirely, others have modified their model to offer contests without cash rewards.

Here’s a look at how some of the top platforms were affected:

Fantasy App	Before the 2025 Law	After the 2025 Law
Dream11	Paid entry contests with cash prizes	Free to play only; offers vouchers and gifts
My11Circle	Realmoney mega leagues	Now runs free leagues with noncash rewards
MPL	Fantasy, rummy, and skill games with cash payouts	Free gaming only; realmoney features removed
A23 (FanFight)	Paid rummy and fantasy games	Switched to nonmonetary formats
Howzat	Tournaments with entry fees	Free contests; cash prizes discontinued
MyFab11	Fantasy sports with cash prizes	All realmoney features disabled
BalleBaazi	Offered signup bonuses and paid leagues	Now free leagues with sports merchandise

These changes were necessary to avoid legal action under the new law. Most of these platforms now focus on building user engagement through rewards like merchandise, mobile phones, and digital vouchers instead of cash.

Fantasy Apps That Continue to Operate Legally:

A few platforms were already operating in a free to play, skill based format or quickly adapted after the legal changes. These apps do not offer any paid entries or real money winnings, which keeps them compliant with the Online Gaming Act, 2025.

Here’s a list of apps that continue to operate legally in India:

App Name	Legal Format (Post2025)	Type of Rewards
Fantasy Akhada	100% free contests	Gift cards, sports merchandise
Vision11	Free entry leagues with noncash incentives	Smartphones, vouchers
PlayerzPot	Free skill based games and fantasy leagues	Electronic items, gift cards
MyMaster11	Nonmonetary fantasy sports contests	Vouchers, gadgets
Fan2Play	Free entry only; no monetary transactions	Noncash prizes
CrickPe	Removed payout system, now runs free contests	Prizes like jerseys, gadgets
BatBall11	Fully shifted to free only contests	Merchandise and digital gifts

These apps are examples of how the industry is adjusting to new regulations while still engaging sports fans. By eliminating entry fees and focusing on reward based systems, they have found a way to legally operate and retain user interest.

Conclusion:

The rise of online betting in India has led to serious concerns around legality, user safety, and financial fraud. As a result, the government has taken strong steps to ban platforms that operate outside the law. With the introduction of the Online Gaming Act, 2025, the rules are now clearerand the risks for using banned apps are higher than ever.

For users, the safest choice is to stay away from unlicensed platforms and stick to legal, free to play fantasy or gaming apps that follow Indian regulations. Being informed, cautious, and choosing the right apps can protect your money, your data, and your peace of mind.

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