The Supreme Court of India acknowledged a public interest litigation (PIL) as an “important issue” concerning social and esports games that violate gambling laws.

The petition, filed by the Centre for Accountability and Systemic Change (CASC) and Shourya Tiwari, urges the federal government to take action. In particular, CASC warns that the games are causing widespread social and economic harm to children.

According to The Telegraph India, the complaint names four union ministries and the two leading app store operators, Apple and Google, who are allowing children to be exposed to the games.

It notes that more than 650 million people are playing such games, creating annual revenue of more than ₹1.8 trillion ($21.7 billion).

New Online Gaming Bill Must Block Social Games

Earlier this year, the Indian parliament passed the Promotion & Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, which prohibits real-money gaming. The bill also promotes esports with government investment in the industry.

As a result of the bill, fantasy sports operators and other gaming platforms have been forced to revise their business models. This has led to job cuts, in addition to Dream11, one of the leading fantasy sports platforms, withdrawing its sponsorship of India’s national cricket team.

Critics of the bill argue it is harming the nation’s economy, while Prime Minister Modi says it is necessary to combat the rise of gambling harm. Modi also said he wants to create a new generation of Indians who are gamers, and not gamblers.

The petition, however, argues that many games are also encouraging gambling behavior. It urges government agencies and the app store operators to use the recently passed bill along with state laws “to prohibit online gambling and betting games operating in the guise of social and e-sports games”.

The court said it will accept the petition, investigate the matter, and pass appropriate orders. The petition may lead the Supreme Court to issue directions to the central government and relevant ministries to clarify and/or tighten the enforcement of laws.

Violators of the new online gaming laws can face up to three years imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore (just over $100,000).

Other Countries Cracking Down on Gambling in Games

The petition does not specifically mention which games it alleges are breaking the gaming laws. In other countries, there have been moves to clamp down on loot boxes, which authorities argue are encouraging underage gambling.

Last week, the Spanish Ministry of Consumer Affairs launched a campaign against the use of the boxes. The Ministry alleges that the promise of uncertain rewards in exchange for real money primes gamers to become gamblers.

Brazil, the UK, and Singapore have also introduced various measures tackling the rise of loot boxes and skin gambling.