Ban on Gambling Apps is gaining traction in Pakistan. A citizen, Chaudhry Tabir ul Haq, has filed a writ petition in the Islamabad High Court. He wants a full ban on gambling applications like Betway, 1xBet, Bet365, citing financial, moral, and social harm.
He urges regulators—PTA, SBP, FIA, and PEMRA—to block such platforms, detect gambling transactions via Easypaisa, JazzCash, SadaPay, and ban gambling ads on digital media.
Meanwhile, authorities have already taken action: the National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has declared 46 gambling, casino, forex, and binary-trading apps illegal. These include 1xBet, Aviator Game, Chicken Road, Dafabet, 22Bet, Betway, Melbet, and others. Some apps even accessed SIM/CNIC data unlawfully.
Following this, the PTA has blocked hundreds of gambling-linked websites and apps as part of a crackdown on illegal content.
The petition amplifies these efforts by urging the court to direct all institutions to act decisively. It spotlights how ban on gambling apps is critical not just legally, but ethically—and essential for protecting youth and financial stability. If the court orders national enforcement, it could significantly limit the spread of these apps and restore trust in Pakistan’s digital governance.
