National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA) has declared dozens of online gambling, casino, and unregulated forex trading applications illegal across Pakistan, citing violations of national laws and privacy threats. Following extensive investigations, the agency revealed that a total of 46 applications were actively promoting gambling activities while also engaging in unauthorized collection of user data, including mobile numbers and personal information. The decision has been taken to safeguard citizens against both financial exploitation and misuse of sensitive information.
Among the banned applications are several popular international betting and casino platforms such as Aviator Game, Chicken Road, 1xBet, Betway, Dafabet, 22Bet, Melbet, Parimatch, Bet365, Plinko, 10Cric, Rabona, Casumo, BetWinner, 888Starz, and Thunderpick. NCCIA stressed that these apps not only facilitated illegal gambling activities but also posed significant cyber risks due to data harvesting practices. Officials noted that such platforms have been increasingly targeting Pakistani users, leading to widespread concerns over addiction, unregulated transactions, and exploitation of personal data.
The agency also extended its ban to multiple applications that were offering unauthorized access to SIM and CNIC details, such as Sim Owner Details, Pak Sim Data, Sky Sim Data, and Sim Tracker. These platforms were flagged as a major privacy threat since they allowed users to access sensitive identity records without any legal clearance. According to NCCIA, such practices undermine national data protection protocols and create avenues for identity theft and misuse of personal records. The rise of these apps had raised alarm among security experts, as they were frequently used for fraudulent activities.
In addition to gambling and data harvesting platforms, NCCIA has declared a range of unregulated forex and binary trading apps illegal, including Binomo, IQ Option, Pocket Option, Deriv, Olymp Trade, OctaFX, and Quotex. These applications were found to expose users to significant financial risks by encouraging high-risk trades without oversight from licensed financial authorities. Officials warned that many of these platforms operate without transparency, making it easier for unsuspecting individuals to lose money through scams or manipulated trading schemes. To curb these risks, NCCIA has forwarded the list of 46 banned applications to Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) for immediate blocking nationwide.
NCCIA further stated that strict legal action will be initiated against developers, promoters, and local distributors of these applications. The agency reiterated its commitment to protecting citizens from digital exploitation, urging users to remain cautious when downloading apps that promise quick financial gains or access to sensitive data. By taking this step, NCCIA aims to reinforce cybersecurity and strengthen regulatory measures against digital platforms that threaten the privacy, financial security, and wellbeing of Pakistani users.
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