“Stay away from illegal gambling sites,” warns Principal director of Sikkim state lotteries

In a move to protect citizens from financial fraud, the Sikkim State Lotteries Directorate, in coordination with the State CID Police and the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has launched a statewide crackdown on illegal online gambling platforms.

Addressing the media, Principal Director of Sikkim State Lotteries, Mr. Pawan Awasthy, issued a strong public advisory urging people to stay away from unauthorized gambling websites, which he said are causing serious financial ruin and emotional distress across the state.

“These platforms are not recognized or registered with the Sikkim government,” said Awasthy. “They do not comply with legal frameworks, evade taxes, and operate with zero accountability. We’ve seen shocking cases where individuals have lost their land, savings, and even their lives due to gambling-related despair.”

Awasthy revealed that in one disturbing instance, a person in Sikkim reportedly lost over ₹1 crore. Several other victims have been defrauded during payout times, as these sites often manipulate game outcomes and deny winnings.

To safeguard the public, the government has reiterated that only state-approved platforms like Golden Gaming are legal and safe to use. “If you wish to play, do so only on licensed and regulated platforms. Avoid anything else,” emphasized Awasthy.

He further encouraged victims to report scams directly to the Sikkim State Lottery office, assuring that such reports would aid in taking strong legal action against fraudulent operators.

Awasthy noted that Sikkim has a legal and structured framework for online gaming, and only companies with valid licenses are permitted to operate. The government has already begun identifying and acting against unregistered platforms.

Websites flagged as illegal include:
https://m.fairplay1.co.in

https://www.khelo24bet.com

https://www.khelo365.com

https://www.lotus365.in

https://www.parimatch.bd.com

https://www.sikkim-battery.online

Officials confirmed that legal action is being pursued against the operators of these sites, and further monitoring will continue to dismantle illicit networks preying on unsuspecting users.