India's Hyderabad Metro removes betting app ads after court order
Nearly a month after a public interest litigation (PIL) was filed in India’s Telangana High Court, Hyderabad Metro Rail Limited (HMRL) informed the court that it had removed all advertisements related to betting apps from metro trains and station premises. The PIL had raised concerns over the promotion of illegal offshore betting platforms such as 1xBAT, Fairplay, and Myjackpot777.
During the hearing on 29 April, Advocate General A. Sudharshan Reddy, representing the Telangana government, submitted a memo to the division bench, stating that the Metro premises were now completely free of such promotions.
The court was told that under Clause 17.5 of the agreement between HMRL and its concessionaire Larsen & Toubro (L&T), advertising rights lie with L&T. After the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) flagged the presence of betting-related ads, HMRL directed L&T to remove them immediately.
Tejaswini Mereddy, Standing Counsel for HMRL, requested a day’s time to file documents confirming that no betting advertisements were currently displayed at metro stations or in the trains.
Shocking double standards! Influencers get booked for promoting betting apps, but Telangana govt openly runs 1xBet ads on Hyderabad Metro trains. Is the law only for the common man? @tsrtcmdoffice
— araavsinhaa (@araavsinhaa)
Sir, this is to bring to your notice that Disappointing to see betting app ads plastered across Hyderabad Metro. Despite the ban/fight, these illegal promotions target youth, fueling addiction and debt. HMRL and L&T need to act—remove these ads now!
— VK (@dvpngk)
Petitioner demands investigation and policy review
The PIL, filed by Advocate Nagurbabu N, also called for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into any financial transactions between HMRL and online betting firms. He pointed out that these platforms operate from foreign jurisdictions without authorisation in India, and that such advertising may mislead the public into illegal betting networks.
The petition cited ED cases against these platforms and the seizure of around Rs 399 crore (approximately USD 47.8 million) in related probes. It also requested the court to order the formation of a high-level committee, led by a retired High Court judge, to review HMRL’s advertisement policies and recommend reforms.
Additionally, the PIL sought directions for an awareness campaign across the Metro network to inform the public that online betting and gambling are banned under the .
Taking note of the submissions, the Telangana High Court adjourned further hearing to after the summer vacation.
Gambling in India
India is considering introducing a central law to regulate online gaming, gambling, betting, and lotteries. Currently, online gaming is regulated by the under the Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code Rules, 2021, framed under the Information Technology Act, 2000. These rules impose obligations on intermediaries, including online gaming platforms. If they fail to observe due diligence, they lose their exemption from liability for third-party content.
The idea of a new central law is being considered to ensure that all, including celebrities, who endorse such online activities are to be brought under a legal framework. Since betting and lotteries are primarily luck-based and require no skill, the Indian government is considering stricter regulations.
