Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: The Goa government has issued 371 notices to mobile service providers, internet service providers and domain registrars to block and take down illegal online betting and gambling websites, Chief Minister and Home Minister Pramod Sawant informed the Legislative Assembly
The information was shared in a written reply to Unstarred Legislative Assembly Question No. 138, tabled by MLA Yuri Alemao, regarding the implementation of the ban on betting apps and the status of illegal gambling in the State.
According to the reply, the Cyber Crime Police Station has issued notices under Section 168 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNSS), Section 79(3)(b) of the Information Technology Act, read with Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, directing service providers to disable access to gambling-related digital platforms.
The Chief Minister stated that the State Police have adopted multiple measures to identify, block and take action against illegal online betting platforms. Police personnel across the State have been instructed to continuously monitor social media platforms and websites to detect online betting and wagering activities and initiate legal action wherever required.
He further informed that police officers and beat staff are maintaining surveillance within their respective jurisdictions, collecting intelligence and taking stringent action against individuals found involved in illegal gambling activities. In addition, the social media monitoring cell regularly submits reports on betting websites, leading to blocking actions and registration of FIRs.
Details regarding the number of cases registered, websites or applications blocked, arrests made and accounts frozen between 2022 and 2025, along with data on traditional forms of illegal gambling such as matka and IPL-related betting, have been provided in Annexure-A, the reply stated
On preventive measures, the government said it has stepped up public awareness initiatives, particularly targeting youth and vulnerable sections. Awareness programmes have been conducted in schools, colleges and village panchayat areas, where students and the general public are sensitised about the illegality of matka and online gambling under the Goa, Daman and Diu Public Gambling Act.
The Chief Minister also disclosed that a cyber patrolling tool developed during the Goa Police Hackathon 2025 is currently being refined and will be rolled out soon to further strengthen cyber surveillance.
