Self-Exclusion and Blocking in India
Some countries run a single register that excludes a person from every licensed gambling site at once. India has none, because there is no national regulator or licence for real-money online gaming — online money games are simply prohibited under the 2025 Act. That leaves self-exclusion in the hands of individuals, and the tools below.
Step one: close or exclude existing accounts
If you have accounts with offshore operators, write to each one from your registered email and ask for permanent closure or self-exclusion for the longest period available. Ask in writing, keep the replies, and request the return of any balance under the operator's terms. Exclusion with one operator does not cover another, so repeat this for every account.
Step two: block at the device level
| Tool | What it blocks | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Phone content filters and screen-time settings | Gambling sites and app installs | Ask someone you trust to set the passcode |
| Blocking software | Gambling sites across browsers and apps | Install on every device you use |
| Router or network filters | Sites on the home Wi-Fi | Covers devices you forget about |
Step three: protect payments
Remove saved cards and wallet links from gambling sites, delete saved logins, and ask your bank what controls it offers on your account. Since the 2025 Act bars facilitating payments for online money games, some payment routes may already be restricted, but scams often exploit exactly that confusion — never pay "unlock" or "processing" fees to anyone.
Step four: remove the triggers
Leave betting tip channels and groups, mute accounts that post odds or "big win" screenshots, and unsubscribe from promotional messages. Cricket season can be a difficult time; plan for it, for example by watching matches with friends rather than alone with a phone.
When the urge returns
Urges tend to rise and fall within a short time. Having a plan for those minutes — calling someone, going for a walk, opening a different app — makes it easier to let them pass without reaching for a mirror link or a new account.
Support while you do it
Blocking works best with support. Tele MANAS answers free and confidentially on 14416 or 1800-891-4416, around the clock. Gambling Therapy offers free online support, and Gamblers Anonymous runs meetings that can be found through its website.