India’s government is set to introduce a comprehensive ban on all online real-money gaming activities through a new legislation titled **The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025**. This proposed law aims to prohibit online games involving real-money stakes—whether based on skill or chance—and will outlaw their advertisements and financial transactions, effectively shutting down the real-money gaming sector across the country[1][2][3][4].
The draft bill, currently in its final stages of approval, d...
The draft bill, currently in its final stages of approval, directs that no bank, financial institution, or any intermediary shall facilitate payments or authorization of funds for online real-money gaming services. Violations could result in imprisonment of up to three years and fines as high as ₹1 crore for operators, while promoters or influencers advertising these platforms may face up to two years in jail and ₹50 lakh in penalties[2][4].
The government’s decision comes amid concerns about the misu...
The government’s decision comes amid concerns about the misuse of these platforms for **money laundering, illicit fund transfers using digital wallets and cryptocurrencies, and potential exploitation by offshore entities** that evade Indian tax and legal regulations. Additionally, public safety issues are cited, including reported suicides linked to gambling losses on such platforms, causing increasing societal alarm[1][2].
Real-money gaming has been a significant driver of growth in...
Real-money gaming has been a significant driver of growth in India’s online gaming industry, which generated $3.8 billion in revenue in FY 2023–24, with real-money gaming alone accounting for $2.4 billion. Industry stakeholders warn that the ban could devastate a sector that contributes nearly ₹20,000 crore annually in taxes and supports over 200,000 jobs directly and indirectly[1][5].
The **Centre has already taken steps to curb illegal betting...
The **Centre has already taken steps to curb illegal betting and gambling**, blocking more than 1,400 websites and apps since 2022. The new legislation plans to further strengthen regulation by empowering the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to oversee the sector, block unregistered sites, and regulate advertisements more strictly. The bill also distinguishes itself by promoting non-monetary skill-based games and e-sports, which will continue to be encouraged[3][4].
The announcement has sparked strong opposition from the gami...
The announcement has sparked strong opposition from the gaming industry, which criticizes the government for a lack of consultation and warns of constitutional challenges ahead. The timing is particularly sensitive as the Supreme Court recently reserved judgment on petitions concerning the classification of games of skill versus chance—an issue central to the regulation of online gaming[5].
If passed, the Online Gaming Act, 2025, will mark a major po...
If passed, the Online Gaming Act, 2025, will mark a major policy shift, imposing the strictest regulations to date on India’s online gaming ecosystem, prioritizing concerns over addiction, financial crime, and social harm over the sector’s economic contributions[1][2][3][4][5]. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha imminently.
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 4:20:16 PM
India’s proposed blanket ban on online real-money gaming has triggered sharp market reactions, with shares of prominent gaming companies like Dream11 and Games24X7 experiencing steep declines. Following the Cabinet’s approval of The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which would outlaw all real-money gaming transactions, stock prices of major online gaming firms reportedly fell by around 8-12% amid investor concerns over revenue losses exceeding $2.4 billion annually[1][4][5]. Industry executives criticized the move as sudden and likely to face legal challenges, emphasizing the sector’s significant economic role and tax contributions[4].
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 4:30:19 PM
India’s government has approved the Online Gaming Bill 2025 proposing a blanket ban on all real-money online gaming activities, including games of skill and chance, effectively outlawing the $2.4 billion real-money segment that accounted for the majority of the country’s $3.8 billion online gaming revenue in FY 2023–24[1][4]. The legislation also bans advertisements and financial transactions for these games, with penalties up to ₹1 crore fines and three years imprisonment, significantly disrupting the competitive landscape by forcing established platforms to cease real-money operations or face legal action[2][3]. Industry leaders warn this abrupt move, taken without consultation, threatens to wipe out an ecosystem supporting over 200,000 jobs and contributing nearly ₹20,
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 4:40:18 PM
India’s government has approved the draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which proposes a complete ban on real-money gaming, including both skill and chance-based games. This move threatens to disrupt an industry generating $2.4 billion in real-money gaming revenue alone within a $3.8 billion online gaming market in FY 2023–24, and puts about 200,000 jobs at risk, according to industry estimates[1][5]. The legislation will also ban advertisements and restrict financial transactions by banks and payment platforms, with penalties including up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of ₹1 crore, signaling a major shift that could push users and operators toward offshore and illegal platforms[2][3][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 4:50:17 PM
India’s government has approved a draft of The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which proposes a complete ban on online real-money gaming activities, covering both skill and chance-based games[1][2][3][4]. The legislation prohibits any person or financial institution from facilitating payments for such games, bans their advertisements, and sets penalties up to three years in jail and fines up to ₹1 crore for violations; promoters and influencers could also face imprisonment and fines[2][3]. The bill is expected to be introduced in the Lok Sabha imminently, marking a major regulatory crackdown on an industry that generated $2.4 billion from real-money gaming in FY 2023-24[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 5:00:17 PM
India’s government plans to introduce the Online Gaming Bill in Parliament on August 21, 2025, which will impose a complete ban on online real-money gaming activities, including offering such games, related services, and advertisements. The draft Bill defines “online money games” as any game requiring a fee or deposit to participate, and proposes penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines reaching ₹1 crore for violations, including facilitating financial transactions[1][3]. The legislation has broad political support despite concerns over potential job losses, as policymakers prioritize curbing the negative social impacts of real-money gaming[1].
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 5:10:18 PM
India’s government is set to introduce the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which proposes a complete ban on online real-money gaming activities, including both skill and chance-based games. The legislation forbids offering such games, advertising them, and facilitating financial transactions, with penalties reaching up to three years in jail and fines up to ₹1 crore for violations. Additionally, promoters like social media influencers may face two years imprisonment and fines of ₹50 lakh, while banks and financial institutions will be barred from processing related payments[1][2][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 5:20:21 PM
India’s announcement of a planned blanket ban on online real-money gaming has triggered sharp market reactions, with shares of major gaming companies plunging. For instance, listed gaming stocks fell between 8% to 15% on the news, reflecting investor concerns over the loss of a revenue segment that accounted for $2.4 billion out of the industry’s $3.8 billion total revenue in 2023–24. Industry insiders describe the move as "a severe blow" given the proposal’s scope, which includes prohibiting advertisements and financial transactions related to real-money games, and imposes penalties up to three years in jail and fines of ₹1 crore for violations[1][3].
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 5:30:22 PM
India’s government plans to introduce a comprehensive ban on online real-money gaming through the proposed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which would prohibit all real-money games, financial transactions, and advertisements related to them[1][2][4]. This move is expected to have a significant global impact, as India’s online gaming industry generated $3.8 billion in revenue in 2023–24, with real-money gaming accounting for $2.4 billion, and industry leaders warn that the ban could push millions of users toward unregulated offshore platforms, increasing risks of fraud and addiction internationally[1][3].
Internationally, experts and industry groups have expressed concern that the ban may drive Indian gamers to illegal offshore betting sites, unde
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 5:40:31 PM
India’s government plans to introduce the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which will impose a blanket ban on all online real-money gaming activities, including skill and chance-based games, prohibiting advertisements and financial transactions related to these games[1][2][3]. This move, impacting a sector that generated $2.4 billion of India’s $3.8 billion online gaming revenue in 2023–24, has sparked international concern as industry leaders warn it will push millions of Indian users towards unregulated offshore gambling platforms, increasing risks of fraud and lack of consumer protection[1][3]. Rameesh Kailasam, CEO of IndiaTech.org, stated, “The bill seems aimed at offshore gambling and betting app
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 5:50:25 PM
India’s government plans to introduce the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which proposes a **complete ban on real-money gaming activities**, covering both skill- and chance-based games. The Bill will prohibit banks and financial institutions from processing payments for such games, and violators may face up to **three years in prison and fines up to Rs 1 crore**, while influencers promoting these platforms could face up to two years imprisonment and Rs 50 lakh in penalties[1][2][3]. The legislation aims to address concerns around money laundering, national security, and societal harms, although industry experts warn it could push players toward illegal offshore platforms and cause a potential loss of **Rs 20,000–22,000 crore in annual
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 6:00:38 PM
India’s proposed blanket ban on online real-money gaming has triggered sharp market reactions, with shares of key gaming startups falling notably. Dream11, valued at $8 billion, and Mobile Premier League, valued at $2.5 billion, saw investor concerns rise as the bill threatens to outlaw their core revenue activities[2]. Industry leaders warn this could push users to offshore platforms, risking fraud and addiction, while potentially wiping out a sector that generated $2.4 billion in revenue last year and employed over 200,000 professionals[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 6:10:35 PM
India’s government plans to introduce the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which proposes a **complete ban on online real-money gaming activities**, including all games involving stakes of money, whether based on skill or chance[1][2][3]. The legislation would **outlaw advertisements and financial transactions related to such games**, with penalties including up to three years imprisonment and fines of Rs 1 crore for operators, and up to two years imprisonment with Rs 50 lakh fines for influencers promoting these platforms[2]. The Union Cabinet has approved the bill for introduction in Parliament, aiming to curb money laundering, illicit fund transfers, and associated societal harms, while encouraging regulation of social and e-sports games under a new central authority[3
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 6:20:35 PM
India’s government is set to introduce the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, which proposes a **complete ban on all online real-money gaming activities**, including skill- and chance-based games, outlawing advertisements and financial transactions related to these games[1][2]. The draft explicitly prohibits banks and financial institutions from facilitating payments, with offenders facing **up to three years in jail and fines as high as Rs 1 crore (approx. $120,000)**; promoters such as influencers may be penalized with up to two years jail and Rs 50 lakh fines[3]. Technically, this ban aims to curb alleged money laundering risks via digital wallets and cryptocurrencies and concerns about addiction and financial harm, but experts warn it may
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 6:30:39 PM
India’s government has finalized a draft legislation titled *The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025*, which proposes a **complete ban on real-money online gaming**, prohibiting any financial transactions, advertisements, and promotion of such games[1][2][4]. The law would empower authorities to bar banks and financial institutions from facilitating payments for these platforms, with violators facing imprisonment of up to three years and fines reaching Rs 1 crore, while influencers promoting such platforms could face up to two years’ jail and Rs 50 lakh penalties[2]. Industry experts warn this ban could push millions of users to unregulated offshore sites, risking fraud and addiction, while the sector, which generated $3.8 billion in FY 2023
🔄 Updated: 8/19/2025, 6:40:53 PM
India’s government is set to introduce the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which proposes a **complete ban on online real-money gaming**, affecting games of skill and chance alike[1][3]. This move threatens to **wipe out India’s $2.4 billion real-money gaming sector**, a major revenue driver within the $3.8 billion online gaming industry, and risks pushing millions towards unregulated offshore gambling platforms, industry experts warn[1][3]. The legislation also envisions penalties including **up to three years' jail and fines of ₹1 crore** for offenders and bans financial institutions from processing related payments, fundamentally altering the competitive landscape by sidelining domestic real-money gaming startups in favor of potentially unchecked offshore operators[