India Bans Online Gambling 

After government figures revealed that businesses had systematically defrauded 450 million people of $2.3 billion annually, India’s parliament passed a comprehensive bill to outlaw online gambling.

The ban has an impact on platforms like India’s wildly popular homegrown fantasy cricket apps, which include cards, poker, and fantasy sports.

Additionally, it’s unclear who will be India’s top cricket team’s key sponsor.

The biggest fantasy sports gaming platform in India, Dream11, was named as the nation’s lead sponsor for three years in July 2023, with its logo appearing on Team India jerseys.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not made any announcements regarding that significant sponsor.

Devajit Saikia, the secretary of the BCCI, stated on Friday, “We will not do anything if it’s not permissible.” The BCCI will adhere to all national policies that the central government has set forth.

Late on Thursday, the legislation that criminalizes the offering, promotion, and financing of such games was passed by both chambers of parliament. Offenders could spend up to five years in prison.

In a statement released on Friday, Dream 11 advised fans to “stay tuned” even though the bill had been passed.

The bill still needs to be formally ratified by the president before going into effect, but other games did as usual on Friday.

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Predatory gaming platforms,  

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attends a meeting of the Saudi-Indian Strategic Partnership Council on April 22, 2025, as depicted in this handout image from the official Saudi Press Agency (SPA). (Photo by -STR/SAUDI PRESS AGENCY SPA/AFP)

 

A government statement stated that “this legislation is intended to reduce addiction, financial ruin, and social distress brought on by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on deceptive promises of quick wealth.”

The Indian gaming sector, which has one of the largest markets worldwide, has been made exceptions for e-sports and educational games, which the government claims will be promoted as part of the digital economy.

The new law, according to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will “encourage e-sports and online social games” and “at the same time, protect our society from the negative effects of online money games.

Around a third of the world’s most populous nation, according to the government, had lost money gambling online.

Instead of a blanket ban, industry groups had urged regulation and taxation, warning that the move might lead to players turning to illegal offshore platforms.

However, bill supporters claimed that the social costs were excessive.

According to officials, widespread financial distress, addiction, and even suicide have been brought on by the rapid expansion of gambling platforms.

According to the government, it is also connected to terrorism financing, money laundering, and fraud.

The law distinguishes “social” online games from those that are played for money, according to Minister of Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw.

A government briefing note read, “It encourages e-sports, which are organized competitive video games, and promotes safe online social and educational games.”

It distinguishes legitimate online games of chance from wagering, gambling, and fantasy gambling games that use up users’ money to make fictitious profits.

Marc Marquez wins Hungarian MotoGP for seventh straight victory

Marc Marquez of Ducati won the first Hungarian Grand Prix in 33 years, extending his championship lead to a triumfant score of 175 points, and winning the race for the first time in the last seven years.

Jorge Martin finished fourth overall, his best performance on the Aprilia since his return from injuries, behind Marquez and Pedro Acosta of KTM and Aprilia’s Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia.

Alex Marquez of Gresini Racing, who finished second behind his brother, could only manage 14th place after the opening lap’s early fall.

Pole-sitter Marc Marquez lost the lead on lap one and lost out on the podium spots due to the picturesque setting of the largest lake in Central Europe, but his tyre strategy was in order.

After winning his 13th sprint victory on Saturday, Marquez had a strong launch to launch turn one.

However, Bezzecchi took the lead when the Aprilia made contact with him and lost speed, dropping to fourth on the next turn.

“Thankfully for both of us, he kept going,” he said. But from that point on, Marquez said, the race began to change a little.

While Marquez was on the medium compound, where Bezzecchi and Franco Morbidelli were easily advancing once his tyres were fully warmed up, was on soft rear tires.

Acosta also smoothly overtook Morbidelli to move up to third, but he lost almost two seconds to Marquez, who had almost completely overtaken Bezzecchi in their constant overtakings.

Marco Bezzecchi of Aprilia Racing and Marc Marquez of the Ducati Lenovo Team competing in the Hungarian Grand Prix [Bernadett Szabo/Reuters]

Marquez catches him

Marquez sat patiently on Bezzecchi’s rear wheel while he patiently bided his time. On lap 11, he pounced, using the Aprilia’s slipstream to retake the lead before fleeing.

He said, “I started attacking when I saw that the soft rear tires started to fall,” while referring to the medium. “I had a really nice rhythm,” she said. On the track, I was moving effortlessly.

Five laps later, Acosta attacked Bezzecchi on the same straight entering turn one, leading his KTM inside the Aprilia and extending that momentum into the turn that followed, taking second.

I took the risk by using the soft because I needed the extra grip from the soft tire when braking. However, Bezzecchi said, “maybe it was better to use the medium.”

The six-time champion found a new gear toward the end of the race and extended his lead by more than three seconds, despite Marquez’s intentions.

After destroying his bike in a qualifying crash, the second-year MotoGP rider was pleased with second place.

Because they worked until 2 a.m. yesterday to just bring two completely new bikes for this race, Acosta said, “I just want to thank each of them.”

When Martin, who placed 16th on the grid, set a fastest lap before finishing fourth, indicating that his injury struggles are now over, the Aprilia garage was all smiles.

Marc Marquez reacts.
Marc Marquez and his Ducati teammates [Bernadett Szabo/Reuters] celebrate winning the Hungarian Grand Prix.

Sam Ryder makes grand entrance at gig in Dakar Rally off-road vehicle

When the singer was spotted getting a lift in the Dacia Sandrider while heading to Basingstoke’s CarFest.

Sam Ryder was spotted in a Dacia Sandrider on his way to CarFest this weekend(Image: PinPep)

Before his performance at Basingstoke’s CarFest, pop star Sam Ryder was spotted arriving in an off-road vehicle and doing his “adrenaline racing.” As he was escorted in the Dacia Sandrider, the star appeared to be prepared for his very own trip to the moon.

Later, Ryder performed a number of hits, including his most popular single “Space Man” and new material from his most recent album, “The Feeling Never Went Away,” on the Dakar Rally car’s stage. The 2022 Eurovision winner stepped out of Micheldever’s nearby train station to board his next mode of transportation, even sporting his own racing suit.

He was seen getting off the train in Micheldever
He was seen getting off the train in Micheldever(Image: PinPep)

“Sam Ryder in the Sandrider,” according to a Dacia spokesperson. We’re proud to have delivered Sam in a manner that is memorable. Sam is a true example of rugged capability, which the car is all about.

He “seen the perfect match for the vehicle,” according to NASA, who may not yet be ready to launch one of these into space, but they’re pretty useful in the majority of our planet. “

The 'Space man' star even had his own suit
The ‘Space man’ star even had his own suit(Image: PinPep)

From 2025, Dacia will compete in the World-Rally Raid Championship (W2RC) and the Dakar Rally. The races take place in some of the toughest and most demanding environments in the world, where drivers must climb peaks and maneuver through slick turf.

Body panels are only a necessity for the Sandrider itself, which is why it is called “absolutely necessary.” With no unnecessary details and a strong emphasis on aerodynamics, the car is stripped back to its fundamentals.

For the demanding demands of rally-raid events, it has been upgraded with a reinforced subframe and bumpers, carbon bodywork, double wishbone suspension, and a 4×4 transmission.

Dacia is taking part in the Dakar Rally and the World-Rally Raid Championship (W2RC)
Dacia is taking part in the World-Rally Raid Championship (W2RC) (Image: PinPep)

Even in the most challenging circumstances, an innovative electrical system provides power for all on-board accessories.

Sabelt’s seats are made of special anti-bacterial materials that self-regulate humidity to combat the car’s harsh temperatures. The car’s body also has a magnetic plate to prevent the fixation bolts for the wheels from getting lost in the sand.

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William and Harry’s shock realisation with one thing still in common

Due to their bitter rift, Prince William and Prince Harry haven’t spoken in three years, according to one expert, and even a tragic day might not bring them back together.

Princes William and Harry in 2021(Image: Getty Images)

They were once the tightest of brothers who devastatingly walked shoulder to shoulder behind their mother’s coffin.

But almost 27 years to the day since their late mother Princess Diana’s untimely death, the relationship between Princes William and Harry couldn’t be more different. The pair have been embroiled in a bitter rift with the brothers not believed to have exchanged even a word in three years since the death of the late Queen.

But despite their differences, there is no doubt both princes will be taking a moment on the anniversary of their mother’s death next week to remember the last impact she made on their lives – even if it is on opposite sides of the Atlantic.

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The brothers with their father King Charles on the day of Diana's funeral
The brothers with their father King Charles on the day of Diana’s funeral(Image: Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images)

And according to former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond, Diana would have been distraught by the rift. She told the Mirror: “Diana was immensely proud of her boys. Her drawing room was full of framed photographs of them and her eyes lit up when she talked about them.

“She loved to kiss and cuddle them – even when they protested. I’m sure that both William and Harry would give the world to have just one more hug with her now.

She would be distressed to learn how bitterly her boys have split up, I believe. She had hoped that they would become best friends with one another.

“Somewhat, I believe, she would have made a peace, and William and Harry’s relationship would never have been this bad.”

Diana, Harry and William
The young princes with their late mother (Image: UK Press via Getty Images)

“Diana herself used to have a fight with some of her relatives, particularly her mother and stepmother,” but she usually settled things off. However, there is no chance that William and Harry’s rift will ever heal.

You would assume that the Princes would be the only two people in the world who could truly comfort one another on such a depressing anniversary because it must be incredibly difficult for them. But that is no longer the case.

Diana continues to be present in both William and Harry’s private and professional lives. Both men support causes that were close to their late mother, such as addressing HIV/AIDS and homelessness.

Diana’s granddaughters, Princess Charlotte and Princess Lilibet, both have her name as middle names while the Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex often wear pieces of her jewellery.

The pair have not spoken for almost three years
The pair have not spoken for almost three years (Image: POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

And Jennie continued, “Both William and Harry have consistently made it clear that their mother is always in their minds and hearts every day.”

They keep the Princess as close as possible, from the engagement rings they gave their wives to the Diana pictures they have around their homes.

Harry and William have different looks, but William is the younger brother who exhibits more of her rebellious personality. Both have fought to preserve her memory by supporting causes like homelessness, mental health, and the scourge of landmines in Africa.

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“It must be odd for them to realize that their mother passed away many years earlier than either of them.” It’s a child’s perspective on a parent strange.

She would have been 64 by now, and I believe she enjoys being a grandmother. But I suppose Diana will always be remembered and forever be dear to her boys.