Opinion trading is gambling: TN targets offshore betting apps
Tamil Nadu is taking a bold stand against offshore betting apps that mislead users under new labels. As the first state in India to establish a dedicated online gaming authority, Tamil Nadu is now setting a national example in regulating gaming, cracking down on illegal platforms, and promoting responsible use. Opinion trading platforms are nothing but betting and gambling in disguise, said MC Sarangan, Member of the Tamil Nadu Online Gaming Authority (TNOGA), during the Digital Entertainment Summit (DES) 2025 by Storyboard18.
Building Indias first gaming authority
TNOGA was created under the Prohibition of Online Gambling and Regulation of Online Games Act after years of rising concern over social harm caused by unregulated online gaming. We had no precedentwe had to define our own mandate, Sarangan said.
The authority is staffed by a diverse team including former IPS and IAS officers, psychologists, technologists, and gaming experts. Its core focus is enforcement, backed by consultations with the gaming industry to support regulation that is practical and balanced.
Crackdown on offshore betting and surrogate ads
Offshore operators targeting Indian users with opinion trading apps have become a key concern for TNOGA. They are aggressively going after our youth and daily wage earners, Sarangan warned. Many of these platforms operate under the guise of market prediction or entertainment but function as betting services.
TNOGA is also addressing surrogate advertisingmarketing campaigns run by betting firms using unrelated brand fronts to bypass restrictions. Weve taken action where no other authority has, Sarangan said.
Addressing compulsive gaming, not innovation
Sarangan made it clear that TNOGAs purpose is not to block gaming, but to curb its excessive use. The issue is not gaming itselfits compulsive and unsupervised gaming, he said. recently completed a state-wide study involving 147,000 students and 17,000 teachers to assess behavioural patterns and inform its strategies.
Awareness efforts now include school and college outreach, essay competitions, and public campaigns. Sarangan noted a positive shift, with some gaming companies now joining hands to promote responsible play and user warnings.
Parental controls and early intervention
A lack of parental awareness is worsening the issue of gaming addiction, Sarangan pointed out. Although parental control tools exist, many families do not know how to use them or give in to pressure from children.
He highlighted programmes such as Manam, a state-led initiative for digital and emotional literacy, and national efforts like Tele-MANAS, aimed at tackling internet and screen addiction early in life.
Model for nation
Sarangan believes Tamil Nadus framework offers a model for the entire country. This is a blueprint for responsible regulation, he said. But success depends on collective effort.
We cant do this alone, he concluded. The fight against disguised betting and gaming addiction needs action from regulators, industry, media, educators, and parents alike.
