Online gambling rings employ Nepali girls to attract players:70 times return promises tempt users across MP; platforms operate freely despite govt ban

In recent weeks, cases of online gaming and gambling addiction have surfaced in Madhya Pradesh, highlighting the destructive impact of unregulated platforms. From fabricated abductions to suicides, youth and adults alike are facing severe financial and mental stress due to games such as Aviator and live casino apps. Read the full report.. Case 1: Minor fabricates abduction over gaming debt On January 3, a 16-year-old student from Gwalior staged his own kidnapping. Police investigation revealed that the minor had accumulated debt running into lakhs due to an addiction to online gaming and gambling. To cover his losses and avoid his family’s reaction, he involved a friend to make ransom calls from his mobile phone. The Madhoganj police station confirmed that the student had lost around ₹4 lakh in Morena before moving to Gwalior. There, while living at a relative’s house and attending school, he lost another ₹1.5 lakh in gambling. CCTV footage verified that no abduction had occurred. The minor has since been recovered, and police have filed a case against him. Case 2: Family betrayal leads to losses in Bhopal In another incident, a family in Bhopal faced severe financial loss due to a relative’s misuse of banking access. Ravindra Patel reported that a young relative withdrew ₹3.5 lakh from his father’s account, funneling the money into online games. Ravindra said his father had no prior experience with online transactions and trusted the relative entirely. The relative managed to bypass the father’s knowledge by intercepting OTPs and manipulating passbook entries. Gradually, the entire money was lost to online gambling apps. This incident highlights how online gaming platforms can exploit vulnerable individuals and encourage risky behavior. Case 3: Contractor commits suicide after online losses About 20 days ago, 32-year-old Bhopal contractor Shivan Gupta died by suicide. Police recovered a note in which he confessed borrowing money to play online games and losing it all. Family members said Shivan’s business was running well until three months ago, and his addiction to online gaming was hidden. The pressure from creditors and mental stress led him to take his life. Following this, police have written to the Home Ministry requesting the shutdown of the Aviator game. However, many gaming platforms continue to operate freely despite claims of bans. Why online games are hard to ban? Cybersecurity expert Shobhit Chaturvedi explains that most online gaming websites are hosted on foreign servers, making regulation complex. “Blocking a website in India involves a lengthy process. By the time action is taken, these platforms adapt to bypass restrictions,” he said. The platforms employ several strategies to evade bans: Types of gambling platforms Experts report that these apps operate a variety of gambling schemes: AI-controlled games ensure company profit According to Chaturvedi, the games are designed so that the AI always ensures the platform profits. Players may feel in control, but outcomes are predetermined based on the total money invested and withdrawn by users. Addiction mechanism similar to drugs Senior psychiatrist Dr. Satyakant Trivedi explains that online gaming activates the same addiction pathways as substances. Early wins trigger dopamine release, creating a sense of reward and motivating repeated play. Once losses begin, players often believe they can win back what they lost, leading to compulsive behavior and severe debt. Experts warn that young players, particularly school and college students, are most vulnerable. Even small bets can escalate rapidly, leading to financial losses, family stress, and in extreme cases, suicide. Government and regulatory challenges Despite awareness and occasional bans, the foreign-based nature of gaming platforms makes enforcement difficult. Officials must navigate legal, technical, and diplomatic hurdles, while companies continuously innovate to bypass restrictions. Call for awareness and precaution Families, schools, and communities are urged to monitor online gaming habits, educate children about the risks, and report suspicious apps to authorities. Experts also recommend seeking professional help for those showing signs of addiction. The cases from Gwalior and Bhopal illustrate the growing crisis of online gambling and gaming addiction in India. From minors fabricating abductions to adults taking their lives, the combination of addictive game design and unregulated foreign platforms poses a severe threat to mental health and financial stability. Authorities and families must work together to curb this emerging danger.