Indian state of Telangana has set up a five-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe online betting cases and suggest legal reforms. The team will investigate the operations of betting apps in the state and submit a report within three months. The move comes as part of the government’s commitment to enforcing a ‘zero-tolerance’ policy against illegal betting and gaming apps.

SIT to investigate online betting ecosystem

Telangana’s Director General of Police (DGP) Jitender stated that the SIT will not only investigate specific cases but also examine the overall online betting ecosystem. The probe team will analyse how these apps operate, their financial transactions, and their impact on the citizens of Telangana. The DGP issued an order on 30 March 2025, appointing the SIT under the supervision of the Director General, CID/Additional DG, CID, as per news agency PTI.

The SIT is authorised to seek assistance from experts, including financial analysts, law officers, auditors, and forensic investigators, to aid in its investigation. The government has mandated the team to evaluate the effectiveness of the Telangana Gaming Act 2017, which currently prohibits online betting in the state.

Legal and financial measures under review

The investigation will focus on existing legal provisions and recommend new regulations to curb the promotion and organisation of online betting. The SIT will also study the roles of central and state agencies, such as the Information Technology (IT) department and the Goods and Services Tax (GST) authorities, in regulating these activities.

Additionally, the probe team will propose policy changes for financial institutions to help detect and block transactions linked to illegal betting operations. These recommendations will be submitted to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) for consideration.

Online betting apps under scrutiny

According to the police, despite the ban under the Telangana Gaming Act 2017, several betting apps continue to operate in the state. The SIT will determine how many apps are accessible in Telangana and whether they comply with geo-fencing restrictions.

DGP Jitender revealed that authorities have been in discussions with the federation representing online gaming and betting apps. “We have issued advisories instructing them not to operate in Telangana and to implement geo-fencing so that users in the state cannot access these platforms. We will identify apps that are not complying and take legal action against them,” he said.

Criminal cases and enforcement actions

The Hyderabad police have recently filed cases against illegal betting apps and their promoters. Complaints indicate that these platforms lure individuals with the promise of easy money, leading to severe financial losses and psychological distress.

Legal action has also been taken against several film actors and social media influencers for promoting online betting apps. These cases have been registered under the Gaming Act, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), and IT Act. Some celebrities have already appeared before the police as part of the ongoing investigation.