The Sikkim State Lotteries Directorate, in partnership with the Indian State CID police and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has initiated a crackdown on illegal online gambling websites operating in the region.
These sites, primarily based outside India, have been luring residents into betting, often leading to significant financial losses and fraudulent payout practices, the Sikkim Express reported.
Pawan Awasthy, principal director of Sikkim State Lotteries, highlighted the dangers of these unregistered sites, which do not contribute to government revenue and have caused severe societal issues, including addiction and financial ruin. A recent suicide linked to online gambling losses underscores the urgent need for action.
The government plans to file complaints against the illegal operators to facilitate stronger enforcement measures. Awasthy emphasized the importance of public awareness and encouraged victims to report their experiences to help build legal cases against the scammers.
He urged residents to avoid unlicensed websites and only engage with licensed platforms like Golden Gaming, the sole legal online gaming operator in Sikkim.
Sikkim’s online gaming landscape is regulated by the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008, and its associated rules, which include provisions for legal action against unauthorized sites.
