The bad news and controversy of opinion trading are not coming to an end. In the recent scenario, a PIL has been filed in the Bombay High Court against Probo, TradeX, and Galactus Funware, which are allegedly promoting gambling under the guise of opinion trading or skill games. The HC has scheduled the hearing for 4^th August, which may decide the fate of the opinion trading apps in India.

What is in the PIL?

The PIL filed in the Bombay High Court (by Mukudum Z. Shah and advocate Rishikesh Dube) urges the Court to treat opinion trading apps like Probo, TradeX, and MPL Opinio as illegal gambling platforms rather than legitimate skill-based games. Here’s what’s specifically sought in the petition:

1. Declare These Apps Illegal Gambling

The petitioners request that the court declare that apps like Probo, TradeX, and Galactus Funware (MPL Opinio) are not skill-based games — they are actually gambling apps in disguise.

The argument is that these apps let users bet money on future events (like elections, sports, or news outcomes), which is the same as betting or gambling.

2. Stop the Apps and Their Payment Systems

The petitioner asks the court to completely block these apps from working in India.

This includes:

• Stopping their apps and websites
• Blocking the payment methods (like UPI, wallets, bank transfers) they use to take money from users or pay out rewards

3. Freeze Bank Accounts and Assets

The petitioners are also asking the court to freeze the companies’ bank accounts and any other property or assets they have.

Why? So that they can’t continue running their business or move money around the gambling while the case is going on.

In short, the PIL filed against the opinion trading platforms, seeks the following actions –

• Declare them illegal gambling platforms
• Block their operations/payment channels
• Freeze assets/accounts
• Ban advertising & promotions

So, What Will be the Next?

The Bombay High Court has scheduled the next hearing of the case for 4th August 2025. On that day, the court will listen to both sides — the people who filed the PIL and the companies running the apps (Probo, TradeX, and Galactus Funware).

Here is what could happen next:

If the court agrees with the PIL, it might ban these apps, block their payment systems, and stop all their advertisements. However, if the court finds no wrongdoing, the apps may continue to operate as they are, possibly under stricter rules or government monitoring.

Also, the Supreme Court is looking into similar cases from other states. If it decides to combine all these cases, the final decision may move from the Bombay High Court to the Supreme Court.

The future of opinion trading apps in India remains uncertain, and the hearing on 4th August could play a major role in deciding what comes next.

It must be noted that this is not the first time opinion trading platforms have faced such complaints and backlash. Previously, SEBI also warned users not to blindly follow these apps and to use their own discretion. Additionally, the Haryana government has already banned various forms of opinion trading in the state.

Tamil Nadu’s Online Gaming Authority issued show-cause notices to 15 major players, including Probo, MPL, and SportsBaazi, labeling their services as games of chance rather than skill, prompting many to pause operations there.

Not only have regulators acted, but consumer grievances have escalated. Reports surface of freezing of Probo’s accounts after fraud allegations, while ASCI and CAIT have flagged misleading ads promoting these apps.