Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Unregulated online betting and gaming applications are turning out to be a major factor behind suicides by youths and even children across the state. In the past few years, dozens of youths addicted to betting and gaming apps lost hefty cash and ended their lives in depression in various districts. Many even cited their addiction and loss of money as the reason behind the extreme step in the suicide notes they left behind.
Cyber Crime officials said that although betting and gambling are prohibited in the state, there are no restrictions on downloading online betting and gaming apps. With no clear policy and regulations, it becomes difficult to take action against those running them, officials claimed.
On May 2, 2025, auto driver Indraraj Singh (21) of Chhola Mandir area in Bhopal allegedly consumed poison. He was reportedly upset after losing Rs 60,000 in online rummy.
Addiction to online gaming prompted B.Tech student Vinay Namdev (19) of the Shiv Nagar area to end his life.
In September 2022, B.com student Manoj Wankhede (19) allegedly hanged himself in his room in Ratibadh. It emerged that Manoj lost Rs 2 lakh in online games.
In February 2024, Manish Nayak (20) of Vidisha committed suicide. Investigations revealed that he had borrowed Rs 6 lakh for online betting.
In March 2025, private bank employee Ankit Chaure of Raisen hanged himself. He left a suicide note, mentioning that he lost Rs 1.50 lakh in online betting.
Allurements through pop-ups
There are dozens of online betting and gaming apps available on the internet, such as rummy, casino, ludo, online lottery, and matka, etc. The victims are lured through links, notifications, and pop-ups that appear on mobile screens when people use social media. Such pop-ups also appear on the screen while using certain mobile applications. These also send links through mobile SMS, offering these games.
Student planned loot after losing fee to online betting
In January 2025, BAMS student Sanjay Kumar attempted to loot a bank in the Piplani area. Once caught, he told the police that he planned to loot cash after losing his college fee to online betting.
Banned in nine states
Online betting is banned in nine states but some apps still operate under different guise. However, in states such as Madhya Pradesh and UP, there are no specific regulations on online betting. In 2022, a law was proposed in Madhya Pradesh after a 22-year-old boy ended his life following his addiction to online games.
