Govt’s ‘Digital Strike’ on Illegal Sites

March 23, 2026

The country’s economy is currently facing a severe blow due to the ongoing war. On one hand, the conflict unfolding in West Asia has dragged on for over three weeks; on the other, the pace of production and investment within the country appears to be slowing down.

Another pressing issue is that websites dedicated to gambling and betting have left no stone unturned in draining money from people’s pockets. Agencies promoting cryptocurrencies—often peddling the promise of becoming rich overnight—are actively operating. A wide variety of websites dedicated to gambling and betting have sprung up across the digital landscape. The government had previously taken cognizance of this problem, but it has now launched another precise offensive—an action that can aptly be termed a ‘Digital Strike.’

The government has blocked 300 websites and applications linked to gambling and betting activities. These websites range from online sports betting platforms and online casinos to betting exchanges that function akin to traditional speculative markets. Reports indicate that this ‘Digital Strike’ has targeted networks involved in *satta* (illegal lotteries), *matka*, general gambling operations, real-money card games, and casino gaming apps. To date, a total of 8,400 websites have been blocked across the country.Of these, approximately 4,900 are dedicated exclusively to online gaming. This measure has been implemented with the objective of making digital platforms safer and more secure.

A cursory glance at the landscape of digital crime reveals that as the country’s digital prowess has grown, while every section of the public has undoubtedly reaped the benefits, cybercriminals and gamblers have simultaneously found fertile ground to thrive. Now, however, the government’s surveillance apparatus is keeping a vigilant watch over digital platforms, poised to strike swiftly against any irregularities. This unauthorized gambling and betting culture has, by now, deeply entrenched itself within the lives of the country’s middle class.