Sikkim launches crackdown on illegal online gambling sites

BIJOY GURUNG

Proliferation of illegal online gambling becoming a serious social concern for Sikkim

GANGTOK, : The Directorate of Sikkim State Lotteries, in collaboration with the State CID police and Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched an operation to crack down on illegal online gaming websites operating in Sikkim.

These websites, mostly based outside India, are luring people in Sikkim into betting and then duping them during payouts, resulting in significant financial losses. The proliferation of such illegal gambling sites and losses suffered by the people is raising alarm bells in the Sikkim society and the State authorities.

Speaking to the media here on Tuesday, Sikkim State Lotteries principal director Pawan Awasthy shared about the key concerns with illegal gaming sites. These sites are not registered anywhere, and therefore, do not contribute to the government's revenue, he said, adding that such fraudulent sites lure people and cheat them by manipulating payouts and transactions.

Engaging with these sites can lead to massive losses, damage to society, and even cases of suicides and bankruptcy. One recent suicide in Sikkim has been linked to huge losses suffered by a person due to online gambling in the illegal sites. Addictive online gambling in these illegal sites has become widespread, causing the State government to take measures to curb this social menace.

“These sites are making our people gradually addicted. These illegal sites give small payouts at first to lure the people and when it comes to large sum of prize money, they do not payout and big cash they did not pay out. Many such cases are coming to the notice of the government and it is becoming a serious concern for Sikkim. We are taking action against this issue in a mission mode as it is destroying the lives of many families,” said the principal director.

Awasthy told media the Sikkim State Lotteries Directorate is filing a police complaint at Gangtok against these illegal online gaming sites, paving way for the State CID police and MeitY to launch appropriate, strong steps against such operators. He emphasized that public awareness is crucial in this fight and sought support from the people. He urged those who have been cheated by the illegal gaming sites to come forward and register their complaints with the directorate or the concerned police station.

The principal director appealed that people should refrain from engaging with these illegal gaming sites. “Those who have been cheated by such illegal gaming websites are requested to come forward and report to the directorate so as to build a strong legal case against the operators of such unauthorised sites. Let us all unitedly fight against such scammers who are causing great harm to our society,” he said.

It was also appealed that if one is interested in online gaming, they should play responsibly that too only on licensed platforms like Golden Gaming, the sole online gaming operator licensed by the Sikkim government. All other sites are illegal as they are not licensed and their antecedents are not verified.

The Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008, and the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Rules, 2009, Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Amendment rules 2024 presently govern online gaming in the State. It has also got provisions to initiate legal actions against unauthorised gaming websites.

To ensure a safe online gaming experience, it is essential to stick to licensed platforms and be cautious of unfamiliar websites and links, it was advised.