A few days ago, responding to
a message on X, Shamim Akhtar, country head at BFL group (e-com), made a shocking revelation. In his village, he says his nephews, aged 14 and 16, told him to put (invest) Rs49 (in a mobile game/app) and earn up to Rs3 crore. "That is when I realised- so many kids their age believe in easy money. This is how so-called stars are harming them by endorsing such schemes," he says.
From Curiosity to Crisis
In another case, Rajesh Patnaik, a trader in the stock market, shared how the auto-driver in a tier-3 town told him about winning Rs4 lakh in last year's Indian Premier League (IPL). "(Obviously, he is faking) this time (he is) eying to win crores by putting Rs49 rupee in Dream 11. Courts are blind. Regulators are blind. God save this system," he says
in a post on X.
Vishal Vardhan, an investor, shared a more shocking incident. He says, "We get rent in March for our agricultural land and while having a general conversation, I learned that my whole village is in debt due to betting apps. Initially, a few won good money, made houses and bought vehicles. Looking at them, many villagers took micro-loans, lost all savings and are now paying equated monthly instalments (EMIs) on unsecured high-interest loans."
Ravi Kumar (name changed), a 22-year-old engineering student from Hyderabad, started using a popular betting app during the IPL season. It began with small bets of Rs100 to Rs500. Encouraged by initial winnings, he soon upped the stakes. Within a few weeks, Ravi had borrowed money from friends, used up his education loan funds, and lost Rs7.5 lakh. His family was unaware until creditors started calling. Eventually, Ravi sought psychological counselling for depression and gambling addiction.
In 2023, a 28-year-old software engineer from Pune was lured into a Telegram group promising insider tips on betting platforms. He was tricked into downloading an app that looked like a genuine betting portal. He kept investing more money on the promise of big returns. By the time he realised it was a scam, he had lost Rs35 lakh from his savings and loans. The app vanished overnight and no refunds were possible.
A home-maker in Noida was offered an online part-time job that paid money for placing bets and reviewing results on a sports app. Initially paid a few thousand rupees to gain her trust, she was later asked to deposit money to 'unlock higher payouts'. She lost Rs1.2 lakh before realising it was a pyramid-style fraud operation.
The cases and posts above are not even the tip of the iceberg. The actual issues, which are being ignored due to the blitzkrieg of IPL cricket matches and the presence of sportspersons and Bollywood stars, are much more severe. Especially, crores of jobless youngsters are getting trapped in betting apps and vicious loan cycles. Blinded by the glitter and glamour (!), we may not be able to see the clear picture, but mark my words; one day, it will explode in a very bad way, jeopardising the lives and careers of all youngsters ensnared by betting apps.
Akshat Shrivastava says it rightly in his post in X. He says, "Every second ad on IPL is: either that of a pan masala OR a promotion for a betting app. Bollywood celebrities and cricketers who built their entire fame on public (and earned 100+ crore at least are now mass promoting these products. ...IPL will be over soon. We will have MORE kids who will get hooked on bad habits like gambling and eating pan-masala... Society will continue to worship these demi-gods who will kill kids at the altar of money."
Commenting on the after-effects of betting app addiction on
X, another user, Naraaz_Hindu says betting app addiction is hitting rural India like a silent epidemic. "And the worst hit are the ones with no income, heavy liabilities. After incurring heavy losses, some have vanished. Others fled with families overnight. They were living on zero margin. Now they are in minus."
India's massive internet penetration, low-cost data and increased smartphone usage have created the perfect storm for betting apps to thrive. Although most forms of online gambling are illegal in India (except for certain games of 'skill'), offshore companies exploit legal loopholes and operate freely through apps and websites, often hosted outside Indian jurisdiction.
From cricket betting to virtual casinos, fantasy leagues and slot-style games, these platforms offer instant access to bets 24/7. In many cases, the apps mimic stock trading platforms, creating a false sense of legitimacy and security.
Why Betting Apps Are So Addictive
Instant gratification: Like slot machines, betting apps offer instant results and dopamine hits, encouraging users to keep playing.
Gamification: Use of flashy visuals, reward systems and fake 'winners' lists trick users into believing that winning is easy and frequent.
Psychological manipulation: Algorithms are designed to let users win early to hook them before they begin losing more than they win.
Social engineering: Many scams operate through social media, luring users with screenshots of fake profits, testimonials, and 'guaranteed tips'.
Anonymity: Most apps require only a phone number and UPI ID, allowing even minors to register without age verification.
Legal Grey Zones and Enforcement Challenges
Online betting falls into a grey legal area in India. While individual states can ban online gambling (as Tamil Nadu and Telangana have), enforcement is difficult due to the apps' offshore origins. Additionally, the proliferation of cryptocurrency transactions and unified payment interface (UPI) payments complicates tracking money trails.
The enforcement directorate (ED) and state cybercrime cells have cracked down on several illegal betting operations. As of December 2024, ED has seized, frozen, or attached immovable and movable assets valued at around Rs2,426.18 crore in the Mahadev Online Book betting app case alone.
However, for every app that is banned or taken down, several more crop up under new names.
Warning Signs of Betting Addiction
Here are a few warning signs for someone who is addicted to betting apps.
• Obsessive checking of betting results or apps
• Hiding betting activity from family and friends
• Borrowing money or taking loans to bet more
• Mood swings, anxiety, or depression linked to wins/ losses
• Neglecting work, studies, or relationships due to betting
How To Protect Yourself and Others
Stay informed: Be aware that most online betting apps are illegal in India. Even legal fantasy sports apps should be used cautiously.
Use parental controls: Parents must monitor app usage and enable content filters to block gambling-related content on children's devices.
Avoid clicking on random links: Many betting apps are shared via WhatsApp or Telegram with promises of easy income. These often lead to scams or malware.
Never share personal or bank details: Avoid sharing your UPI ID, Aadhaar, or bank credentials with anyone on betting-related platforms or forums.
Use reputable sources only: If you want to play fantasy games, use only licensed platforms. Check if the app is listed on official app stores (Google Play store) and has proper legal disclaimers.
Talk about it: If you or someone you know is developing a betting habit, speak up early. Counselling and mental health support can make a big difference.
Report suspicious apps: If you encounter a suspicious betting app, report it to your state cybercrime cell or through the national cyber crime reporting portal:
https://cybercrime.gov.in
In recent years, online betting apps have grown rapidly across India, luring users with the promise of quick money, exciting games and flashy advertisements. However, behind the glitzy interface lies a dark reality—financial ruin, addiction and, in many cases, exploitation and fraud. What begins as harmless fun or curiosity can quickly spiral into a destructive habit, draining users of savings, mental well-being and, in some tragic instances, even their lives.
In this circumstance, what we really need is a national response to curtail the betting app menace. We need comprehensive legislation to regulate online gambling, standardisation of age verification (school/ college records) and empowerment of law enforcement agencies to act swiftly against offshore operators.
In the absence of strong regulation, every smartphone user will remain vulnerable to psychological manipulation and financial ruin caused by betting, fantasy games and gambling apps.
Be Careful, Stay Safe!
