Online gambling taking heavy toll, surging crisis hits Kashmir

Srinagar, May 29: Mushtaq Ahmad (name changed) a postgraduate from central Kashmir has been battling a gambling addiction for the past two years. What began as casual betting has spiraled into a dangerous compulsion, leaving him financially crippled. “Once, he lost over Rs 1.25 lakh  on a cricket betting app.

That incident nearly destroyed him,” said his family members. “We’ve taken him to counseling, but he keeps relapsing. These apps promise quick money, and that illusion is hard to shake.”

Ahmad’s story is not an isolated case. Like other parts of India, across Jammu and Kashmir, stories of young people falling prey to the lure of online betting are becoming alarmingly common. With the rapid rise of betting platforms and fantasy sports apps, experts warn that gambling addiction is becoming a silent epidemic — a crisis that is destabilizing families and worsening mental health across regions. “We have registered cases and money in lakhs is involved,” Cyber Police Kashmir officials told Greater Kashmir adding that most of the people are reporting to them. “ This is becoming epidemic with each passing day.”

In Kashmir, officials said, the surge in online gambling has created a dangerous undercurrent. Reports indicate a sharp rise in the number of people placing real-money wagers through unregulated apps. These apps are often disguised as fantasy gaming platforms or run from offshore locations where India’s laws don’t apply. “Gambling is strictly prohibited in Jammu and Kashmir,” said a senior police official. “But illegal betting rings and mobile apps have found a stronghold. The anonymity of digital platforms, combined with unemployment and easy access to smartphones, has made it a ticking time bomb.”

Families in Kashmir are increasingly reporting financial distress and psychological trauma stemming from online gambling, with some cases leading to substance abuse.

Growing online gambling

Pertinently India’s online gambling industry has exploded, with over 140 million regular users — swelling to 370 million during events like the Indian Premier League (IPL). Fantasy sports platforms such as Dream11, MPL, and My11Circle have also surged in popularity, operating legally under the guise of “games of skill.”

According to the 2023 Think Change Forum report, fantasy sports alone now have 180 million users across more than 300 platforms. Cricket is the dominant revenue source, accounting for 85 percent of the industry’s earnings.

Illegal apps violate norms

While fantasy sports are legally allowed under Indian law, many illegal gambling apps blur the line between skill and chance to bypass regulations. Offshore betting apps often operate from jurisdictions like Curacao, Malta, and Cyprus — making enforcement extremely challenging for Indian authorities.

India’s legal framework around gambling remains fragmented and outdated. The Betting Act of 1853 and the Public Gaming Act of 1867 — relics from the British era — form the base of current gambling legislation. After independence, states were granted the power to regulate gambling independently. As a result, a game legal in one state might be banned in another, creating a chaotic legal landscape. Online gambling enforcement faces significant hurdles, especially in states like Jammu and Kashmir where the regulatory infrastructure is weak and law enforcement is overstretched.