The death by suicide of a 19-year-old Ponda youth following online gambling losses has reignited concerns about digital addiction among Goa’s young population, highlighting persistent challenges facing authorities despite intensified enforcement efforts.
Earlier this year, the cybercrime cell of Goa Police announced it had blocked 61 gambling websites as part of their ongoing crackdown on illegal online gambling activities. Since November 2024, authorities have blocked numerous websites and accounts, representing a significant escalation from two years ago when concerns were primarily raised in legislative forums through Assembly debates highlighting multiple suicide cases.
Cybercrime SP Rahul Gupta emphasised the urgency of these measures, stating that online gambling has long been a serious concern due to numerous instances of fraud and financial exploitation. The blocking, carried out under provisions of Section 168 of the BNS, Section 79 (3)(b) of the IT Act, and Rule 3(1)(d) of the IT Rules, aims to protect vulnerable individuals from fraudulent activities. Gupta has appealed to the public to report illegal online gambling activities for prompt action.
Peter F Borges, former Chairperson of the Goa State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (GSCPCR), who has been actively calling for stringent action over recent years, advocates for a regulatory rather than prohibitive approach. He emphasised the critical importance of age-gating mechanisms to verify users’ ages before permitting access to online services, stressing that solutions require coordinated efforts from government, society, and families.
Borges highlighted parents’ crucial role in monitoring children’s gaming activities, tracking online spending, and preventing unlimited access to banking applications and cards. He called for regulated screen time and promotion of offline activities such as outdoor sports and family outings. Extended gaming periods, he warned, contribute to negative impacts on children’s physical and mental health, necessitating professional support systems for parents, teachers, and children.
The human cost of this digital epidemic is illustrated by affected families’ experiences. A housewife from rural South Goa, speaking anonymously to protect her son's identity, described online gambling addiction’s insidious nature. She explained how parents often remain unaware of their children’s activities, particularly when online education necessitates unrestricted phone access.
Her family discovered the problem when their son began borrowing money under false pretences, claiming it was for school or tuition fees. The deception became evident when requested amounts exceeded reasonable educational expenses, and verification revealed that claimed activities never existed. Only after hearing about a suicide in a neighbouring village related to online gambling did the family recognise their son’s true behaviour. Their quick intervention prevented potential tragedy, but they discovered a network of third parties facilitating account setup and payments, leading to substantial debts.
“We trusted him completely because he was always a good student,” said a mother from Margao whose son fell into online gambling, while studying outside Goa. She also wished to remain anonymous to protect her son’s identity as they have sent him to a centre for de-addiction.
“When he asked for money for books or coaching, we never questioned it. It’s only when the amounts became unreasonable that we realised something was wrong. These platforms make it so easy for children to get trapped,” she lamented further.
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant had previously acknowledged in the Assembly, the challenge of controlling app-based online gambling, particularly as players download games directly onto mobile devices. He admitted that youth face financial ruin risks despite ongoing crackdowns, directing the Goa police department and Cyber Crime police to take comprehensive action against online gambling locations, lottery sites, and online casinos.
Opposition leaders raised alarming statistics in the Assembly, about the problem’s scale, with some claiming online gambling operated through over 500 locations with daily turnovers approaching Rs 30 crore. MLAs across party lines expressed concerns about youth falling prey to these platforms and committing suicide when faced with losses, demanding immediate crackdowns on illegal online gaming operations.
The progression from small stakes to substantial losses represents a particularly dangerous aspect of online gambling addiction. Legislative discussions revealed how players could begin with modest amounts of Rs 5 to Rs 10,000 but quickly escalate to daily limits exceeding Rs 40,000. This rapid escalation, combined with easy mobile access, creates a perfect storm for financial devastation among young people.
The current government response, while more robust than previous efforts, faces the challenge of staying ahead of rapidly evolving digital platforms. Website blocking represents a reactive measure, as new platforms can quickly emerge to replace shut-down sites. The appeal for public reporting suggests recognition that enforcement requires community participation and vigilance.
Experts argue that the current enforcement approach, while necessary, remains largely reactive to an industry thriving on technological innovation and jurisdictional loopholes. They suggest a more proactive strategy combining education, mental health support, and stricter age verification mechanisms could prove more effective in preventing tragedies.
Goa’s struggle mirrors a nationwide crisis, with states like Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh reporting similar youth suicides linked to online gambling losses. The problem extends globally, with countries like the UK implementing stricter age verification and spending limits on gambling platforms.
Mental health professionals across India report increasing cases of gambling addiction among teenagers, often masked as gaming addiction. The easy availability of digital payment methods and the normalization of online transactions during the pandemic have created an environment where young people can quickly accumulate massive debts without parental knowledge.
As Goa continues battling this crisis, the latest tragedy highlights the need for sustained prevention measures and comprehensive support systems. The challenge now involves developing solutions that address both technological and behavioural aspects of this growing epidemic, learning from global best practices while adapting to local contexts.