India's Supreme Court has scheduled final hearings on constitutional challenges to the law banning online real-money gaming. A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice Surya Kant ordered case materials to be completed before substantive arguments begin. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta represents the government.
The case has been in court since September 2025, when the Supreme Court consolidated petitions from the high courts of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Delhi. In December, Kant ruled the matter required a larger bench and referred it to the current panel.
The court also agreed to hear a petition from the Center for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC), which demands the government block platforms allegedly disguising gambling as social or esports projects. CASC's counsel Virag Gupta said a list of 2,000 apps conducting betting and gambling in violation of the law has been submitted to the court and government.
The lead petitioner is evangelist K.A. Paul, who calls for unified federal regulation of online and offline wagering. Respondents include Google India, Apple India, Dream11, Mobile Premier League and A23 Games.
Parliament passed the law on 21 August 2025 and it took effect on 1 May 2026. It prohibits offering, facilitating and advertising online gaming for money, and blocks banking transactions tied to such activity. Violations are classified as non-bailable offences. Fines reach 10 million rupees ($120,000) and prison terms run up to three years.
Operators, including Head Digital Works (A23 Rummy), argue the ban amounts to industry destruction and violates Article 19(1)(g) of the constitution, which guarantees the right to practise any lawful profession or trade.
