India’s second-most populous state, Maharashtra, has reported 97 cases of illegal online betting and gambling between 2023 and 2025, with Mumbai City alone accounting for 38 of these cases. In response to growing concerns, the state government has urged the union government to introduce stricter legislation to regulate online gaming and curb digital gambling activities.
Illegal betting operations uncovered
Recently, Chief Minister and Home Minister Devendra Fadnavis disclosed the data while responding to a legislative query raised by MLAs Vishor Jorgewar and Dr. Avishkar Deshmukh. Fadnavis highlighted two recent raids that exposed illegal betting rackets operating with the help of digital tools.
In March 2025, Maharashtra Police raided an illegal betting setup in Ghugghus, located in Chandrapur district. Authorities seized items valued at ₹4 lakh ($4,880) and filed a case under the Maharashtra Gambling Prevention Act. Investigations into the case are currently underway. The operation had used the online platform kingexch.com to conduct betting activities.
A separate case in Dahegaon-Ragari (Savner Taluka, Nagpur) also led to the seizure of assets worth ₹1.29 lakh. Here, mobile phones and television sets were used for placing bets, showing how digital tools are enabling gambling networks in rural and semi-urban areas.
District-wise breakdown of cases
Maharashtra recorded 97 cases of online betting across a diverse mix of urban and rural districts over a two-year span, signaling the phenomenon’s widespread penetration. Mumbai City led the tally with 38 cases, followed by Chandrapur and Nagpur Rural, each reporting 11, and Yavatmal with 9. Moderately affected regions included Thane City and Palghar (5 each), and Pimpri-Chinchwad and Wardha (4 each). Smaller numbers emerged in Mira-Bhayander (3) and Amravati City (2), while Akola, Nanded Rural, Navi Mumbai, Dharashiv, and Solapur Rural saw one case each.
Monitoring and awareness
To counter the rise in digital betting, the Maharashtra Cyber Cell has increased monitoring and public awareness efforts. Fadnavis noted that cyber awareness campaigns are being conducted both online and offline to educate the public, especially youth, about the risks associated with online gambling.
Between 2017 and 2019, a total of 3,253 police officers in the state received training in cybercrime investigation techniques, helping law enforcement respond more effectively to digital offences.
Push for national-level regulation
Fadnavis pointed out that there is currently no dedicated law to ban online games involving betting or wagering. However, the union government has issued guidelines under the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. These rules were officially notified in the Gazette on April 6, 2023, with the aim to bring structure and accountability to online gaming platforms.
The state government has also formally recommended that the union government enact a specific law to regulate online lotteries and gaming for stakes.
Stricter laws in the pipeline
Minister of State for Home Affairs, Yogesh Kadam, informed the Maharashtra Legislative Council that the state is actively developing stricter legal measures to address financial fraud and cybercrimes linked to online gaming. He confirmed that a uniform policy is in the works, which will focus on regulation, prevention, and enforcement.
“The Maharashtra government is formulating a uniform policy and stricter laws to regulate online gaming and tackle cybercrime,” Kadam said.
