Sikkim authorities have launched a major crackdown on illegal online gaming networks after uncovering over 900 fraudulent websites targeting residents across the state and beyond. One frozen bank account alone contained ₹32 crore in suspected gambling proceeds, highlighting the scale of the problem.A joint operation by the Sikkim Police and the Directorate of State Lotteries revealed that these networks were preying on vulnerable users via sophisticated online platforms. The investigation began following a complaint filed in July by Principal Director of Lotteries Pawan Awasthy, leading to Case No. 3 of 2025 registered under organised crime, cheating, and IT Act provisions.
DIG of Gangtok Range Tenzing Loden Lepcha disclosed that investigators initially identified 72–74 illegal gaming websites operating through social media intermediaries such as Facebook and YouTube. These platforms hosted objectionable content and lured users into depositing money online with promises of high returns. “Online gambling is becoming an addiction. Families are suffering. We are treating this as seriously as drug abuse,” DIG Lepcha said. Authorities found that these websites registered domains abroad and hosted servers on platforms such as Amazon Web Services to evade enforcement. While over 90 sites, including “Khelo Bet,” “Khelo 24 Bet,” and “Khelo Match,” were blocked, nearly 900 new ones appeared almost immediately with slight modifications, prompting authorities to focus on freezing bank accounts and tracking financial trails.
The human cost has been severe. Victims have reportedly lost lakhs of rupees each, with some cases totaling crores, and gambling addiction has pushed families into financial distress. Officials warned that these networks also serve as gateways to cryptocurrency scams and multi-level marketing frauds.Sikkim’s proactive measures—including IP restrictions, GPS-based blocks, and financial monitoring—have disrupted operations and provided a model for other states. Principal Director Awasthy emphasized that protecting residents from financial exploitation remains the government’s priority, calling for continued vigilance against this growing menace.