India bans online betting apps

• India’s Parliament passes the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, outlawing real-money online games nationwide
• Industry warns of job losses and players shifting to offshore gambling platforms
• The Act criminalises operators but recognises e-sports and social gaming as legitimate sectors

India’s Parliament has passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, a sweeping law banning real-money online games such as poker, fantasy sport and rummy from 22 August 2025, citing addiction, financial harm and public distress.

The legislation imposes penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to ₹1 crore for operators and advertisers, while treating users as victims.

The Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha approved the Bill on 20 and 21 August 2025, respectively, before it received presidential assent on 22 August 2025, becoming law that day. The legislation prohibits offering, facilitating or promoting real-money online games, bars banks from processing related transactions, and empowers authorities to block platforms and arrest operators without warrants.

According to Reuters, major platforms reacted immediately: Dream11, Mobile Premier League (MPL) and PokerBaazi suspended their money-based games, while Flutter’s Indian arm, Junglee, also shut down services, warning that users might migrate to unregulated markets with no consumer protection.

Harsh Jain, CEO of Dream11, told Reuters:

“95 per cent of our group’s revenues have disappeared overnight,” highlighting the abrupt impact on the industry.

The gaming sector, once projected to reach $3.6 billion in India by 2029, has attracted backing from major venture investors such as Tiger Global and Peak XV.

Gaming lawyer Jay Sayta told the BBC that the ban, introduced without consultation, is “a massive setback” for investors and companies.

Reuters also reported that A23 has filed the first legal challenge in the Karnataka High Court, arguing that the law criminalises legitimate “games of skill” such as rummy and poker. A spokesperson for A23 told Reuters that the legislation is “a product of state paternalism” that could shut down multiple gaming companies overnight.

Industry representatives warned that banning regulated platforms may push users toward illegal bookies and offshore operators operating without safeguards.

Peter Jackson, CEO of Flutter, told Reuters:

“We believe this change will drive customers to the unregulated market, offering limited consumer protections and providing no contribution to the local economy.”

The government defended the law as necessary for consumer protection. IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw told Parliament that 450 million Indians had been affected by online money games, with financial losses exceeding ₹20,000 crore (~US$2.3 billion), according to the PIB.

The Act also promotes e-sports and social gaming, overseen by a new Online Gaming Authority tasked with licensing, compliance and the development of safe gaming sectors. The government informed the Delhi High Court in late August that rules for this authority will be implemented soon.

The Board of Control for Cricket in India is now seeking a new title sponsor following Dream11’s withdrawal. Reuters reported on 2 September 2025 that money-gaming and cryptocurrency firms are excluded from the bidding process, with new sponsorship contracts expected by mid-September, according to Times of India.