Following an MHA directive, MeitY has restricted access to 232 digital loan and betting apps with Chinese connections such as dafabet.
These apps were allegedly in violation of Section 69 of IT Act.
Some of the now-prohibited apps are Betway, Lotus 365, dafabet and 1xBet etc.
Intensifying its digital campaign against China, India has initiated a new wave of application bans, targeting 138 foreign betting platforms in the country. Some of such apps are dafabet
On 5th February, the Ministry of Home Affairs instructed MeitY or Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology to prohibit and block 232 apps with origins or connections to China, including 94 online lending and 138 betting apps like dafabet
Sources revealed that these apps were violating Section 69 of IT Act. Moreover, senior ministry officials believe that the content within these apps posed a potential threat to the nation’s sovereignty and integrity.
India’s Clampdown on Apps with Chinese Connections
A significant concern in the government’s deliberations on this issue was the way these lending apps trapped Indian citizens in debt while charging excessive interest rates.
The ban arises in response to increasing public demands for stricter regulation of digital loan apps, accused of mistreating borrowers. The involvement of Chinese entities and individuals operating such platforms has further complicated the situation.
During the past year’s ongoing efforts to combat these apps, it has been discovered that many Chinese lending apps seize control of users’ phones and transmit sensitive data to the digital lenders. Moreover, in numerous cases, these apps have reportedly used manipulated images to blackmail individuals during debt collection.
Such platforms have led many people into debt traps, resulting in several reported cases of young adults and older individuals taking their own lives in recent years. Although the government has instructed Google to take action against such apps in its marketplace, the efforts have seen limited success thus far.
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Interestingly, the websites of domestic lending tech companies like Prosus-backed PayU’s Kissht and LazyPay are blocked, although their apps, such as dafabet, remain available for download on Google’s Play Store and Apple’s App Store.
Conversely, betting apps have been making headlines for negative reasons. Numerous platforms entice users with promises of high returns, only to ensnare them in cycles of substantial payments without winnings.
There have been cases where Chinese nationals, in collusion with Indians, allegedly managed multiple entities to run fraudulent online gaming platforms. Profits from these counterfeit apps have often been laundered and sent across the border.
Operating without oversight and based outside India, these betting websites prove challenging to prosecute in legal cases.
Many betting platforms have also masqueraded as sports blogs, using indirect methods to attract users.
Following the Indian government’s recent directive to Google, which required the search giant to cease displaying ads from foreign online betting companies, video streaming services were also urged not to air ads associated with online betting.
This action takes place almost a year after government banned 54 applications, including dafabet, due to concerns over their Chinese origins or connections.
The online betting apps ban saga started in 2020 when the central government first banned 59 apps in June, affecting major names such as TikTok, ShareIt, and UC Browser etc.
Subsequent bans impacted around 320 Chinese apps. With the addition of current 232 apps that makes total number of banned apps now reaches 552.
Complete List of Chinese-Connected Betting Apps Prohibited by the Government:
- Sports Betting Game – BETUP
- 3patti Guide
- Sports Betting™ the Sportsbook
- Lagai Khai Pro – Betting Game
- Live Bet Zlive
- WagerLab Bet on Sports & Props
- Bet On Sports
- BetNetix: Football Betting
- Lucky slots -casino VIP
- SuperDraft Sportsbook – Prizes
- 1xBet: sports betting
- Betway – Live Sports Betting
- 22Bet: Live Sports Betting
- Parimatch: Live Sports Betting
- BetWiser – Best Betting Odd
- Bet On Sports
- Cricket: Sports Betting
- 20Bet
- BETUP – Sports Betting Game
- Lagai Khai Pro
- Scores And Odds Sports Betting
- BetQL – Sports Betting Data
- BettingPros: Sports Betting
- VegasInsider Sports Betting
- Best Bet Casino™ Slot Games
- Win2Win
- Papel Betting Tips
- TipsterMan – Betting Tips
- Football Betting Tips & Odds
- Betting United: Betting Tips
- Onside Sports: Scores, Live Od
- Sports Betting Picks & Tip App
- London Betting Tips
- Bet Analytix
- betM – Sports Betting Tool
- Betting Tips
- Betting Tips
- SI – Betting tips
- BetMines Betting Predictions
- Virtual Sports Betting Predict
- Betstamp – Sports Betting Hub
- Play To Win: Win Real Money
- SattaMatka Fix Game
- Pikkit: Sports Bet Tracker
- Sports Betting for Real
- Bingo Crown – Fun Bingo Games
- myVEGAS Bingo – Bingo Games
- Spin for Cash!-Real Money Slot
- Bingo Crown – Fun Bingo Games
- Casino Real Money: Win Cash
- Crash Rocket Gambling
- Golden Slots
- Super Slot – Win Cash
- Enchanted Island
- Big Winner – Lucky Wheel
- Silver Luck
- Anubis Treasure
- 3 Lucky Casino
- Divine Fortune 2
- Happy 3Patti
More on the prohibited list
- Block Online Gambling – Gamban
- DoubleU Casino™ – Vegas Slots
- PokerStars: Texas Holdem Games
- Cashman Casino Las Vegas Slots
- Teen Patti Dhamal
- Lotus 365
- Satta King: Satta Matka Result
- Games
- CRICKET ΒΕΤЅ | All Cricket Βеt
- Roulette Online
- Teen Patti Lucky Gold
- Bet Winner-Popular online game
- Avia Pilot
- Record Trade
- Teen Patti Romio
- Rich Club
- Ludo Vungo
- Lucky Star Slots-Vegas Casino
- Teen Patti Kash
- Teen Patti Guide
- Teen Patti Bhoomi: Patti Poker
- dafabet – 2022
- Bet O Bet-Live Sports Betting
- Megapari
- Spin casino: Slot machines
- Live Baccarat
- Betfair Live Line
- BetVictor Bet
- Blackjack Live
- ladbrokes odds&tips
- Rummy
- Zodiac Casino
- Grand Mondial Casino
- Videoslots Fun
- RABONA
- Royal Panda
- Casumo Casino
- Casumo Online Games: Extended
- Casumo Slots
- Vegas Royal
- betM – Sports Betting Tool
- MostBet
- Pure Win
- Zet Casino
- INDIBET
- Lottabet
- Wheel of Fortune
- MELBET
- Slots Machines – Vegas Casino
- Betvisa
- AndarBahar Poker
- Babu88
- 888STRAZ
- Trueflip
- Betindi
- Betobet
- Betkwiff
- Bambet
- Shangrila
- Come On
- Bons
- william Hill App
- NEO.Bet App
- PariPesa App
- Match Book App
- 4rabet App
- Tivit Bet App
- Fun88
- Royal Vegas
- Europa Casino
- Spin Casino
- Genesis Casino
- Jackpot City Casino
- OPPA 888
- Grand Mondial
- Zodiac Casino
- Rummy
- Live Blackjack (Blackjack 21: Live Casino game)
Conclusion
The decision by the Indian government to ban 138 Chinese betting apps, including popular platforms such as dafabet, Betway, and Parimatch, reflects the increasing concerns around the security and privacy of Indian citizens’ data. This move also highlights the growing tensions between India and China, particularly in the wake of border disputes and the COVID-19 pandemic. While this ban may impact the revenue of these companies, it underscores the importance of complying with local laws and regulations to avoid such repercussions.
