There has always been a trend for early adoption among Indian youth-whether it was the wave from Orkut to Facebook or that one boom with early YouTube creators or meme culture.
There has always been a trend for early adoption among Indian youth-whether it was the wave from Orkut to Facebook or that one boom with early YouTube creators or meme culture. But over the past few years, there has been a distinctly different trend-more similar to online gambling, where the stakes are high and the habit tends to feed toward addictive behavior.
Gambling is no longer limited to shady back rooms or underground dens. With the 24/7 internet connection, a flood of online gaming platforms, and so many apps that mimic both casino and sports betting environments, gambling has now gone digital, discreet, and dangerously easy to access. Teenagers and young adults in metros and tiny towns across the country are now betting on just about anything-from poker or card games to esports outcomes to predicting the winner in a fantasy league.
There are multiple factors that drive this trend. Firstly, accessibility. The cheap-and-cheerful smartphone explosion and bargain-basement data rates have put the casino into the palms of the hands of every consumer. With no more than a few taps, anybody can enter a game and place a bet and relish the winner's circle or differ the loser fare.
Next comes the dopamine factor. Perhaps, just like social media, gambling apps are designed to provide instant gratification. Bright colors, a barrage of "you win" animations, streaks of wins, and near-miss experiences all ensure that an element of reward loop is created in the brain. Young users, especially those going through adolescence and early adulthood, become more susceptible to this feedback mechanism.
Peer pressure and social validation have roles too. Win big posts on group chat or social stories could create an image of gambling as a cool, if not aspirational, pursuit. Risk-taking behavior gets an odd glamorization in Indian pop culture-the 'bad boy' or street-smart hustler is made an idol. So to many, betting is a form of self-expression or rebellion.
The combined effect of student lockdowns has made this live. Everyone being indoors, suddenly online engagement soared. From students and new graduates to the jobless youths, they turned to gaming sites-not just for fun, but as a second source of income- and a few of them got lucky winnings and became absorbed in gaming. Some started as a pastime hobby which later developed into almost a compulsion.
This also happened due to post-pandemic economic uncertainty. There was no comfort in the traditional jobs, while many were turning freelance options increasingly more competitive; hence, the dream of making easy bucks on online betting platforms was looking better than ever. Daily, the lines between skill and chance became blurred.
It is quite paradoxical that while gambling laws in India are rooted in age-old legislation of British times, online betting thrives in a shadowy legal domain. States have banned it for certain kinds of games, but one loophole after another opens up. Many platforms claim to be offering "games of skill" and try to stay away from the label of gambling so that they might escape the restrictions.
This kind of murky legal regime makes it very difficult to control or monitor the exposure of young users. There are generally quite weak or nonexistent parental controls, and bar some random checks at best, there is really no bona fide age verification system in place to restrict anyone from betting online.
Furthermore, aggressive marketing is being used by many online platforms altogether targeting the youth. Influencers, along with online advertisements offering "rewards," encourage spending through seamless wallet integrations with the intent of not inducing risks.
People are starting to witness the impacts. Counseling helplines record increases in cases of gambling addiction in youth, many of whom admit to borrowing money, selling possessions, and even taking loans to 'win back' their amounts lost. College students admitted to skipping classes, lying to families, and falling into anxiety and depression—all correlating with gambling behavior.
Making the whole thing worse is the disturbing trend of normalizing loss. For many of the young users, losing money online is just 'part of the game,' desensitized by the digital detachment of it from cash. What used to be intuitively understood as a major financial gaffe now mirrors the loss of a level in a mobile game.
And the worst part? The slippery slope. One win makes you high. One loss makes you hungry. And then it begins.
Here is where I face my argument regarding the various online games being harmful or considered with some young Indians indulging in betting; this concern is for potential addiction. But the lesser-regulation current ecosystem throws real doubts on these matters, and all the stakeholders-parenting, education system, and even policymakers-are recognized as being stunningly low in awareness.
With respect to India, a two-pronged approach is required-a strong, modern law talking about online gambling, as well as in-depth awareness campaigns to tell the youth the difference between fun and danger. Schools and colleges should incorporate modules for digital literacy that teach responsible gaming behavior. The parenting discussions must touch upon other subjects than academics and career alone; they should engage in the topic of online habits, emotional wellness, and financial responsibility.
Disclaimer - Gambling involves financial risk and can be addictive. Participate responsibly and only if of legal age. Our editors are not involved, and we disclaim responsibility for your gambling outcomes.