In a landmark legal move, a citizen has filed a writ petition before the Islamabad High Court, demanding a nationwide ban on illegal gambling applications such as Betway, 1xBet, and Bet365. The petition, filed under Article 199 of the Constitution, accuses these platforms of exploiting digital payment loopholes via Easypaisa, JazzCash, and SadaPay to facilitate money laundering and financial fraud.
The case names key federal institutions — PTA, FIA, SBP, PEMRA, and the Ministry of Interior — for alleged regulatory inaction. The petitioner calls for:
•     Immediate blocking of gambling apps and websites
•     Ban on online gambling advertisements
•     Oversight of financial service providers
•     Nationwide awareness campaigns targeting youth and vulnerable groups
The petition cites violations of Islamic injunctions, the Public Gambling Act (1867), Pakistan Penal Code, and the Anti-Money Laundering Act (2010). It warns that unchecked gambling could damage Pakistan’s reputation with global watchdogs like FATF, due to links with cross-border crypto misuse.
This case could redefine Pakistan’s stance on digital ethics, influencer accountability, and financial transparency — especially as youth engagement with online platforms continues to rise.