Sikkim cracks down on illegal online gaming sites, FIRs registered against 70 websites

The Directorate of Sikkim State Lotteries and the Sikkim Police held a joint press conference today to announce strong action against illegal online gaming websites that have been causing concern in the state.

Speaking at the press meet, Principal Director of State Lotteries, Pawan Awasthy, said that the government has been treating the issue in a “mission mode” right from the beginning. He explained that illegal gaming sites were not only cheating people but also creating social and financial risks for families, which is why the state decided to move firmly against them.

Awasthy informed that the department has been working in close coordination with central agencies. “From the start, we kept following up with all concerned authorities. At the state level, our DIG was in constant touch with the central authorities. We also worked with I4C – the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre under the Ministry of Home Affairs. I personally visited Delhi several times to raise our concerns,” he said.

He also pointed out that the Directorate had already issued two public notices in local newspapers warning people about the dangers of falling into the trap of such websites. “We made it very clear to the public that these online platforms are illegal and harmful. People were informed that such sites can cause financial loss and addiction,” he added.

As part of its action plan, the department formally registered FIRs against 70 different websites, marking a significant step in the crackdown. “This was how the actual action began. We wanted to ensure that these operators are booked under the law,” Awasthy said.

The press conference also highlighted the series of meetings and follow-ups that took place at the national level. The Directorate and the police held a video conference with I4C officials and later attended multiple meetings in Delhi to press for urgent intervention. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang also wrote personally to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, supporting the state’s concerns and calling for strict national-level regulation.

Interestingly, the state’s campaign coincided with the central government’s move to draft new legislation. The much-awaited Online Gaming Regulation Act, 2025 has now been passed in both the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha and is awaiting the President’s assent. Once enacted, the law will bring strict control over online gaming platforms across the country.

“This new Act has incorporated almost all the points we had been raising for the past two years. Illegal gaming sites were operating without contributing revenue, without proper structure, and in ways that made the games highly addictive. All of this will now be regulated under the law,” Awasthy stressed.

He further assured that the FIRs already registered will be pursued strongly and additional action will continue once the new Act comes into effect. The state police will monitor the situation closely and coordinate with central agencies to ensure compliance.