by Ajay Kumar
Lucknow: On December 12, 2024, in Lucknow, an 18-year-old student, Anuj, committed suicide after losing twenty thousand rupees in an online Ludo game. His body was found hanging from the ceiling fan in his room.
On October 9, 2024, in Hathras, Uttar Pradesh, a father, Sukhbir Singh, stopped his son, Akash, from playing online games. Enraged, Akash committed suicide. He had already lost three and a half lakh rupees in an online game.
On September 24, 2024, in Unnao, a police constable lost around ten lakh rupees in an online game. He pleaded for help from the department, expressing his distress and suicidal thoughts. Senior police officials counseled him extensively and helped him recover from his depression.
In Indore, Madhya Pradesh, a bright IIT student lost his tuition fees in an online game. Coming from a poor family, he became so stressed that he ended his life, leaving a suicide note stating, “Ludo addiction is more dangerous than drugs.”
Recently, in the Kasimpur police station area of Hardoi district, Uttar Pradesh, a 25-year-old man, Surendra Kumar, who supported his family by selling kebabs and parathas in Delhi, lost one and a half lakh rupees in an online Ludo game. He hanged himself. In January, he had returned to his village but, due to mounting debt, moved to Bangalore to sell kebabs and parathas. A week before Holi, he came back home. On March 13, he angrily smashed his mobile phone and said he was leaving for Delhi. His elder brother, Vinod, later contacted a known person in Delhi, only to learn that Surendra had never arrived. After searching, they discovered that an unidentified body was found in Alipur Tandwa. On Sunday, the family identified his body at the mortuary. According to Vinod, Surendra had become indebted after losing one and a half lakh rupees in an online game and, unable to cope, took his own life.
These incidents are just a few examples of people taking their own lives after accumulating online gaming debt. The actual list is much longer. Such news frequently surfaces, but how seriously the government addresses this issue remains a matter of concern.
It is true that online Ludo games have become immensely popular today. Every month, billions of rupees are gambled in online games across the country. Thousands of gamblers fall into this trap. Some cases reach the police, but many victims remain silent out of shame. With the increasing accessibility of mobile applications and the internet, millions of people are engaging in these games. However, some serious problems associated with this trend have emerged, particularly regarding mental health. Many players experience extreme stress and addiction, leading to tragic suicides. This report highlights how online Ludo games are affecting mental health and discusses the suicides linked to them.
Ludo is a traditional game once played with friends and family on a board. However, in the digital age, it has been transformed into an online version, making it accessible anytime and anywhere. Unlike the traditional game, players do not need to gather in one place, making it even more appealing. Online Ludo games involve real-money stakes, making them both thrilling and risky.
Players can compete in real time using their mobile phones or computers. Winning offers the chance to earn rewards, but a major issue arises when players experience repeated losses, leading to severe mental stress. This psychological pressure can sometimes drive people to suicide.
Impact on Mental Health
Players of online Ludo games frequently experience losses, leading to frustration, stress, and anxiety. Betting real money makes the game even more dangerous. Financial losses can deteriorate a person’s mental health. Many players become so addicted that they neglect their responsibilities and work. This addiction negatively affects their personal lives, careers, and relationships. Hoping to win, they continue playing, wasting their time and energy.
Betting money in online Ludo games can create financial crises. Some players lose their entire savings. This economic pressure severely impacts their mental well-being, sometimes pushing them towards suicide. Many online Ludo players boast about their victories on social media. Those who continuously lose may feel inferior to their peers, affecting their self-esteem.
Several cases have been reported where players suffering from mental stress and depression due to online gaming have taken their own lives. For instance, in one case, a young man committed suicide after repeatedly losing in an online Ludo game. He had wagered money multiple times, but losses piled up, leaving him in financial and mental distress. The increasing number of such incidents highlights the severe mental and physical consequences of this game.
