Sikkim Bans Online Gambling Platforms Amid Rising Addiction and Suicides
Gangtok: The Government of Sikkim has imposed a blanket ban on unlicensed online gambling platforms, including Khelobet and Khel 2Bet, after mounting concerns over addiction-driven financial ruin, mental health issues, and rising suicide cases across the state. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, speaking at the Sampoornata Abhiyan Samman Samaroh on August 1, described online gambling as a “silent killer” that has devastated families across economic and social backgrounds.
The CM highlighted disturbing incidents, including that of a retired teacher from Timrong who lost his entire retirement savings in online gambling and ultimately took his own life. Despite not facing financial hardship initially, the victim fell into a debt spiral created by addiction. Government surveys also revealed that some individuals in Sikkim had lost as much as ₹2 crore on illegal platforms, underscoring the scale of the crisis.
In July, the Sikkim State Lotteries Directorate, in collaboration with the CID Police and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), launched a major crackdown on illegal gambling sites. Authorities flagged multiple websites such as khelo24bet.com, khelo365.com, lotus365.in, and parimatch.bd.com, which were accused of luring users with small payouts but defaulting on larger winnings.
Principal Director of Lotteries, Pawan Awasthy, urged citizens to avoid unlicensed platforms, warning that such operators were causing severe financial losses and suicides. He clarified that Golden Gaming remains the only officially licensed operator under the Sikkim Online Gaming (Regulation) Act, 2008, while all other platforms are unauthorized.
Following the state’s enforcement drive, several platforms, including Khelobet and Khel 2Bet, have shut down operations in Sikkim. Users were notified that these services would no longer be available in the region. Law enforcement agencies have been instructed to strictly monitor violations and ensure compliance with the new directive.
The state government has reached out to the Government of India to ensure these platforms are blocked nationwide. The CM also confirmed that the DIG (Crime) is personally involved in enforcing the ban and that legal amendments may be introduced to further tighten regulations against online gambling.
Officials emphasized that legislation alone cannot address gambling addiction, highlighting the importance of awareness campaigns and community support. Families and citizens across Sikkim have largely welcomed the ban, calling it a vital step to protect young people and prevent families from falling into financial ruin.
With this ban, Sikkim has positioned itself as one of the few states taking decisive action against online gambling. By combining legal enforcement, public awareness, and coordination with the central government, the state aims to safeguard its citizens from the devastating effects of gambling addiction.
