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National News: The growing popularity of online betting and real-money gaming apps has raised social and economic concerns in India. Hearing has started on a public interest litigation (PIL) filed in the Supreme Court regarding these apps, where a ban has been demanded on them. The court has taken this matter seriously and has issued notice to the central government and all the states.
The Supreme Court on Friday began hearing a PIL seeking a complete ban on illegal betting and online real-money gaming apps. The petition has been filed by social activist and evangelist K.A. Paul. Paul claims that these apps are violating the Public Gambling Act 1867 and putting the future of more than 30 crore youth of the country at risk.
The petition states that online betting apps are not only illegal, but they are also promoting addiction, financial loss, and social problems among the youth. Paul has claimed that in the last year in Telangana, 978 youths have committed suicide due to financial crises caused by betting apps.
part from this, these apps are also being used for money laundering and other illegal activities. The petition also alleges that many apps are promoting gambling in the name of "skill-based games," which is wrong under the guise of law.
The petition accuses the central and state governments of inaction. According to Paul, only four out of 29 states have taken steps to ban betting apps. The rest of the states are silent on this problem. The petition demands that the central government make a comprehensive central law, which completely controls or bans online betting and gambling.
The petition also targets the celebrities who are promoting these betting apps. Paul mentioned the FIR registered in Telangana against 25 celebrities from Bollywood, Tollywood, and the cricket world. He says that these celebrities are misleading the youth by misusing their popularity.