In name of IPL, people betting & gambling: Supreme Court on PIL for regulation of online apps

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Friday sought a response from the Centre on a plea for regulating all online and offline betting applications, while observing that people were betting and gambling in the garb of Indian Premier League.

A bench of Justices Surya Kant and N Kotiswar Singh issued notice to the Centre on a plea filed by one K A Paul, claiming that many people have died by suicide by using online betting and gambling applications.

The petitioner alleged several online influencers, actors and cricketers were promoting such online apps, luring children in the process.

"In the name of IPL, a lot of people are betting and indulging in gambling. This is a serious issue," the bench said.

The petitioner said, "I am here on behalf of millions of parents whose children have died in the past couple of years. More than 1,023 people committed suicide in Telangana, as 25 Bollywood and Tollywood actors/influencers played with the lives of the innocents.”

The bench said it cannot do much as these were aberrations of society and enactment of law cannot stop people indulging in betting voluntarily.

"Nowadays, we have given the internet to our children. They carry it even to their schools. Parents watch one TV, children watch another. This is complete social aberration. What can be done? When people are indulging in these betting voluntarily. Principally, we are with you that it should be stopped. But probably you are under a misconception that it can be stopped through a law," the bench said.

The petitioner claimed that many children committed suicide after getting involved in online betting and gambling applications, and many online influencers, actors, and cricketers were promoting these online apps. The petitioner said due to this promotion the children were getting lured to betting.

The petitioner claimed that an FIR was lodged in Telangana against the influencers, as the matter violated fundamental rights. “Just like we can't stop people from committing murder, a law cannot prevent people from indulging in betting or gambling," Justice Surya Kant said.

The bench said it would ask the Centre what it was doing on the issue.

The court issued the notice to the Union government, and also sought the assistance of the Attorney General and Solicitor General in the matter.

In his plea, the petitioner sought a complete ban on illegal betting Apps, strict regulations of online gaming, and fantasy sports and enactment of a comprehensive law.