Win Rs 20 lakh and then fall into Rs 9 lakh debt trap: Young online gamer who has almost lost her life can save your advice
Start to enter online gambling
Shweta started playing online casino games last year, attracted by flashy social media ads, offering slot machines, sports betting and live dealer games. She earned only Rs 5,000 in the early stages of the game and won Rs 2 million. “I remember spending Rs 5,000 and winning Rs 2 lakh shares. It was an incredible feeling. I could buy gifts for my parents,” she said.Encouraged by this success, she increased her stakes. The platform provides bonuses for reloading wallet balances, thus delving into the cycle. When asked about sudden income, she told her parents that she was investing in stocks.
Debt Traps and Dangerous Spirals
The victory stopped and Shweta started chasing the loss. “I’ve been playing and I’m convinced that I’ve won a huge victory,” she said. She received a personal loan of Rs 7 lakh, but the losses continue. She borrowed it from friends and family for false reasons. Finally, she told her parents the truth.Her father helped clear the debt. “My father was disappointed,” Shweta recalled. “If I wanted to travel the world, he would be happy to give me the same money.” For a while, she stopped playing. But the temptation of online games is back and she borrows another Rs 2 million. The pressure caused her to commit suicide.
Six weeks of recovery and new missions
Her family drove her to the hospital in time. She under the leadership of Dr. Shailesh Ranade, she underwent several surgeries at Batia Hospital. “I was very vulnerable after this trauma incident. The next six weeks were several surgeries at Batia Hospital. I was navigating both the pain and the thoughts of darkness, but my parents and doctors supported Shailesh Ranade, Shailesh Ranade, met me.” Now at home, she hopes to increase her visibility. “My advice is simple: easy money is a myth. It’s a bottomless pit and you keep sinking. If you’re in trouble, talk to someone you trust. Don’t interrupt your feelings. Never think about taking huge steps. I’m very grateful for the second chance of life.” “It will be different to talk to someone about my game and the pressure that comes with it.”
Young people’s addiction is growing
Consultant psychiatrist Dr. Avinash de Sousa observed an increase in gambling and gaming addiction between the ages of 17 and 30. These are processes related to deeper issues such as impulsiveness and depression, he explained. Families usually only realize the degree of addiction in a crisis. “Such patients require a lot of treatment and consultation. We recommend that their families ensure that patients have internet access and minimum funds in their bank accounts to reduce temptation,” he said.
Design and regulatory issues
Sonali Patankar, co-founder of cyberism, raised concerns about addictive design on online platforms. “Elements like logo placement, color and user interface are carefully constructed to engage users no matter how old they are. There is no legal norm to adjust the design.”
The legal framework is not yet clear. Advocate Dr Prashant Mali said: “The Public Gambling Act of Colonial Period does not cover online gambling. In addition, the Supreme Court ruled in the KR Lakshmanan V/S case in Tamil Nadu that an activity that requires a large amount of skills cannot be classified as betting or gambling.”
Meity revised IT rules in 2023 to address real currency games, but state-level laws remain in place. Dr. Mali urged stronger regulations on illegal payment gateways. “These portals do not comply with RBI guidelines, but are operated by nighttime operators,” he said.
Redemption Model and Encrypted Links
Cybercrime lawyer Pankaj Bafna noted that some platforms use non-cash rewards. “Some platforms convert bonuses into points that can be redeemed through vouchers. However, in order to redeem, players have to download a separate app that is not in India,” he said.
He added that some platforms give cryptocurrencies rewards. “In 2023, the scope of the Preventive Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has expanded and cryptocurrency businesses such as exchanges and wallet providers are now within the scope of that law. This means they must comply with the legal anti-money laundering obligations.”
Shweta’s experience highlights an increasingly serious problem. With easy access, limited regulation and addictive design, the risks posed by online casino games are becoming increasingly obvious, especially among young people.
(This article originally appeared in TOI)
