ISLAMABAD: National Cybercrime Agency of Pakistan (NCCIA) has declared all online gambling and casino applications illegal across the country. According to a notification, the use of such apps and services is strictly forbidden in Pakistan.
This move was necessitated after a public outcry and concerns raised by several quarters about the misuse of online gambling. The NCCIA in its notification declared all gambling-related websites and apps, including sports betting and online casinos, as forbidden. The agency also directed all service providers to block access to these illegal sites and applications.
The move is aimed at curbing online gambling, especially among the youth of the country, and to curb the menace of the multi-billion-dollar illicit online betting industry in Pakistan. According to reports, online gambling in Pakistan has been flourishing in the recent past, with thousands of people losing their hard-earned money on these sites.
The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) was tasked to coordinate with the service providers to block these sites in Pakistan. Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has been directed to block access to these sites.
Meanwhile, online gaming industry experts have expressed disappointment over the NCCIA's decision, saying that it would impact the country's growing gaming sector. They argued that many online games have a social aspect and are used by millions of Pakistanis for entertainment purposes. However, the NCCIA said that these types of games often contain adult content and are a gateway for gambling.
'Gambling in any form is detrimental to the society and we are taking all possible measures to curb it. Our main focus is on the youth,' said a senior official of NCCIA.
