NAZIPABAD, India — For the family of Harish, a 22-year-old from the Yedapally village in Telangana state, a smartphone became an instrument of destruction that consumed their savings, property, and eventually their lives. Harish began placing online bets during the COVID-19 pandemic, and what started as small wagers spiraled into massive debts. Police report that he lost approximately 1.8 million rupees ($21,000) and borrowed from at least 12 villagers.
His parents, Ranganaveni Suresh and Hemalatha, attempted to rescue him from the financial abyss by selling a plot of land. When that proved insufficient, the family worked for a local caterer to generate income, but the mounting pressure became unbearable. On October 3, 2024, Harish and his parents died by suicide at their home.
“We did not know how much money he had borrowed until people started coming to our house asking for their money back,” said Mukesh Kumar, Harish’s cousin. “By then, the situation was already out of control.”
The tragedy in Yedapally reflects a broader national crisis as India grapples with the rapid expansion of online gambling. According to an industry report, the country had roughly 591 million gamers in 2024, with the online gaming sector generating $3.7 billion. Money-based gaming accounted for 86 percent of that revenue, and the sector was projected to more than double to $9.1 billion by 2029.
A Legal Landscape in Flux
In response to these growing dangers, the Indian Parliament passed legislation in 2025 banning all online gaming involving money, aiming to close regulatory loopholes exploited by betting platforms. The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which prohibited such games regardless of whether they relied on chance, skill, or a combination, came into effect on May 1, 2026.
However, enforcement has faced significant hurdles. A 2025 report by public-policy group CUTS International estimated that the 15 largest unauthorized betting platforms received over 5.4 billion visits from India in the 2024-25 financial year. The organization estimated annual deposits on illegal platforms at roughly $100 billion, facilitated through phone banking, mule accounts, and mobile applications.
One prominent app, Mahadev Online, is estimated to have generated 430 billion rupees ($5 billion) over seven years, according to prosecution documents from India’s Enforcement Directorate. Despite the new ban, smartphones and global connectivity have allowed the black market ecosystem to adapt and survive.
Cycles of Debt and Despair
The psychological grip of these apps is profound. In Hyderabad, 20-year-old aeronautical engineering student Selam Manoj died by suicide in February 2024 after accumulating 300,000 rupees in debts from friends. His father repaid the loans, but Manoj took his own life. Similarly, 27-year-old cattle-feed trader Balagoni Pavan Kumar died by suicide after his father repeatedly cleared his betting debts.
“The betting did not affect only him. The whole family paid the price. We lost our peace, our savings and the future we had planned,” said Kalpana, Pavan Kumar’s sister.
Experts note that gambling disorder is linked to suicidal behavior. A 2026 meta-analysis of 14 observational studies found significant associations between gambling disorder and suicidal ideation, attempts, and mortality. Manoj Kumar Sharma, a professor of clinical psychology at India’s National Institute of Mental Health and Neurosciences, explained that the cycle is difficult to break because losses create guilt and the false hope that money can be recovered.
“Wins can produce a strong sense of reward, while losses can create guilt and regret alongside the belief that the money can still be recovered,” Sharma said. “That expectation can keep people gambling even as their losses increase, creating a cycle that becomes increasingly difficult to break.”
The Role of Celebrity Endorsements
Before the crackdown, celebrity endorsements had helped normalize online betting. Cricketers and actors frequently appeared in advertisements, lending legitimacy to offshore platforms. In 2025, former Indian cricketer Suresh Raina was questioned by the Enforcement Directorate regarding promotions for illegal betting apps.
The Advertising Standards Council of India reported that in 2025, it identified 7,927 offshore betting advertisements, with offshore betting constituting 72 percent of violations. Between April and December 2025, 854 influencers were identified promoting these services. In June 2026, the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting warned celebrities against endorsing offshore betting through surrogate advertising.
As regulators tighten restrictions, illegal operators continue to shift operations overseas, changing domains and redirecting users through private messaging groups. While the new laws mark a significant legal shift, families across India continue to mourn the personal toll exacted by an industry that promised quick riches but delivered devastation.
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