Punjab & Haryana HC Dismisses PIL Seeking Ban on Online Betting Platforms

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has dismissed a PIL seeking a ban on online betting and opinion trading platforms, holding that the newly enacted Haryana Prevention of Public Gambling Act, 2025, provides a sufficient legal remedy.

The court emphasised that when a specific law exists, public interest litigation cannot bypass it. 

The petition alleged that misleading advertisements on these platforms dupe users; however, the Court held that allowing such PILs would undermine legislative intent and burden constitutional courts.

The court clarified that petitioners may still raise their grievances before the appropriate authorities under the existing statutory framework.