Lok Sabha Question No. 6037 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-04-01
Subject: Offshore Digital Platform
Ministry: ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Asked by: Shri Magunta Sreenivasulu Reddy, Shri Prabhakar Reddy Vemireddy, Shri G M Harish Balayogi, Shri Putta Mahesh Kumar

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No. 6037

TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.04.2026

## OFFSHORE DIGITAL PLATFORM

## 6037.   SHRI PUTTA MAHESH KUMAR: SHRI MAGUNTA SREENIVASULU REDDY: SHRI PRABHAKAR REDDY VEMIREDDY: SHRI G M HARISH BALAYOGI:

Will the Minister of ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  has  examined  the  extent  to  which  offshore  digital  platforms accessible to Indian users which have negative impacts on the physical, mental and financial abilities of the individual;
- (b) if so, the details of the steps undertaken by the Government to address these issues including list of such offshore gaming platforms identified and blocked;
- (c) the details of the steps being taken by the Government to promote digital well-being, user safeguards  and  responsible  digital  participation  particularly  in  the  context  of  platforms operating outside Indian jurisdiction;
- (d) whether the Government has undertaken any steps to raise awareness amongst the youth regarding offshore gaming addiction and its impact on their physical, mental and financial wellbeing; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI JITIN PRASADA)

(a) to (e): The policies of Government of India are aimed at ensuring open, safe, trusted and accountable cyberspace for users in the country. The Government is cognizant of the risks and harms arising from the misuse of digital technologies including the offshore digital platforms.

The  Information  Technology  Act,  2000  and  the  Information  Technology  (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 provide a comprehensive framework for user safety and responsible digital participation.

Intermediaries,  including  offshore  digital  platforms  and  gaming  platforms,  are  required  to exercise due diligence and prevent hosting or dissemination of unlawful or harmful content. Non-compliance attracts liability under applicable laws, including the IT Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.

## Online Gaming Act, 2025

Further, the Government has enacted the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 ('PROG Act') with the objective of promoting innovation in e -sports and online social gaming.

It  ensures  a  safe,  responsible  and  accountable  online  gaming  ecosystem  in  the  country  by prohibiting online money gaming, restricting related financial transactions, and advertisements.

## Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023 ('BNS')

- Section 111 of BNS deals with penalties for commission of unlawful activity including economic offence, cyber-crimes
- Section 112(1) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 ('BNS') which came into effect from July  1,  2024,  punishes  unauthorised  betting  and  gambling  with  minimum  1  year  of imprisonment that may extend to 7 years and with fine

## Integrated Goods and Service Tax Act, 2017 ('IGST Act')

In  addition, Government has introduced GST at the rate of 28% in online gaming from 1 st October 2023. The supplier of online money gaming shall obtain a single registration under the Simplified Registration Scheme referred to in the IGST Act.

The Directorate General of GST Intelligence Headquarters ('DGGI') is empowered to block unregistered  online  money  gaming  platforms,  including  offshore  online  money  gaming platforms for violating the relevant provisions of IGST Act.

## Steps undertaken related to online betting/gambling/gaming websites

A total of 8376 website URLs related to online betting/gambling/gaming including offshore gaming platforms have been issued till 28.03.2026. This includes more than 4800 such URLs being blocked after the enactment of Online Gaming Act, 2025.

## Advisories by Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MIB)

In addition, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting ('MIB') has issued advisory dated 04.12.2020 to all private satellite television channels to comply with the guidelines issued by the Advertising Standards Council of India ('ASCI') regarding the ad vertisements for online gaming and fantasy sports.

The ASCI guidelines mandate that every gaming advertisement carry a disclaimer - in print, static,  and  audiovisual  formats  noting  that  the  game  involves  financial  risk  and  may  be addictive.

## Awareness Initiatives by University Grants Commission

UGC  has  issued  the  'Handbook  on  Basics  of  Cyber  Hygiene  for  Higher  Educational Institutions ('HEIs')' in December 2024. It provides comprehensive guidance on safe digital practices,  responsible  online  behaviour,  management  of  screen  time,  and  mitigation  of psychological risks associated with excessive digital exposure, including online gaming and addictive digital platforms.

UGC has advised HEIs to designate Nodal Officers and establish Grievance Redressal Cells for  cybercrime  support,  and  to  publicize  the  National  Cyber  Crime  Reporting  Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in) and CyberDost (@CyberDost).

It  regularly issues circulars for observance of Cyber Jaagrookta Diwas (first Wednesday of every month) and participation in National Cyber Security Awareness Month (October), with activities such as seminars, competitions, webinars, and outreach.

Under the 'UGC Chetna Series', awareness and knowledge dissemination lectures have been conducted, including:

- Cyber Hygiene in HEIs by I4C, MHA -April 2024 (Online)
- Launch of Cyber Hygiene Handbook and lecture on 'Busting Digital Arrest' June 2024 (Online)
- Cyber Security, Cyber Law and AI Trends by Advocate, Supreme Court -November 2024 (Online)
- Chetna Lecture during National Cyber Security Awareness Month (NCSAM) 2025 -24th October 2025 (Online)
- These initiatives collectively aim to promote digital well-being, enhance awareness among youth  regarding  online  risks  including  digital  addiction,  and  encourage  responsible participation in the digital ecosystem.

## National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

MHA has also launched the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (https://cybercrime.gov.in )  to  enable  the  public  to  report  all  types  of  cyber-crimes  including  cyber  financial  frauds. Cybercrime  incidents  reported  on  this  portal  are  routed  to  the  respective  State/UT  law enforcement agency for further action.

The portal has distinct mechanisms for registering complaints related to financial frauds. A tollfree Helpline number '1930' has been operationalised to get assistance in lodging online complaints.

## Police and Public Order:

Further,  'Police'  and  'Public  Order'  are  State  subjects  as  per  the  Seventh  Schedule  of  the Constitution of India. The States/UTs are primarily responsible for action on illegal betting and gambling through their Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs).

Central  Government  supplements  the  initiatives  of  the  States/UTs  through  advisories  and financial  assistance  under  various  schemes  for  the  capacity  building  of  their  LEAs.  These efforts underscore the Government's firm commitment to promoting a safe, respo nsible, and accountable digital platforms ecosystem.

- *******