In one of the boldest steps in India’s digital policy, the Union Government has officially banned all forms of online betting and real-money gaming. The move follows the passing of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which received Presidential assent on August 22.
The new law makes online betting punishable while creating a structured framework to promote esports and skill-based gaming. This decision is being seen as a turning point for India’s fast-growing but controversial gaming industry.
What the Law Says
Complete ban on money-driven online games – whether based on skill or chance.
Establishment of the National Online Gaming Commission (NOGC) to regulate esports and social gaming.
Heavy penalties for violators, including fines, app store takedowns, ISP blocks, and restrictions on payment gateways.
Focus on building a safe, regulated esports ecosystem for players and fans.
What the Law Says
The impact has been immediate. Major apps including Dream11, MPL, Zupee, PokerBaazi, Probo, Gameskraft and others have shut down or suspended their real-money features. Refunds are being processed for users, while some companies are pivoting to free-to-play or esports formats.
Industry bodies have raised concerns that the move could cause:
₹20,000 crore annual loss in tax revenues.
A ₹27,000 crore hit in advertising income.
Job losses across tech, gaming, and marketing sectors.
A surge in illegal offshore betting platforms, raising money laundering risks.
Voices of Concern
Several industry leaders have criticized the blanket ban. Anupam Mittal (People Group) warned that India may be “over-regulating like China,” potentially pushing millions of users underground. Others argue that skill-based games like fantasy sports and poker should have been exempt.
The Sports & Esports Angle
For the sports world, the move is a double-edged sword.
Fantasy sports, which had become a massive fan engagement platform for cricket and football, now face an uncertain future.
At the same time, esports gets a major boost. With government recognition and regulatory backing, professional competitive gaming may finally grow as a mainstream sport in India, opening new opportunities for players, organizers, and fans.
What Lies Ahead
The government maintains that the priority is to protect young players from addiction and financial exploitation, while encouraging healthy, skill-based gaming. The coming months will decide how enforcement plays out, how esports adapts, and whether legal challenges from the industry succeed.
One thing is certain: this is a historic reset for India’s online gaming industry—a shift from betting to esports, from controversy to sport.
The new law makes online betting punishable while creating a structured framework to promote esports and skill-based gaming. This decision is being seen as a turning point for India’s fast-growing but controversial gaming industry.
What the Law Says
Complete ban on money-driven online games – whether based on skill or chance.
Establishment of the National Online Gaming Commission (NOGC) to regulate esports and social gaming.
Heavy penalties for violators, including fines, app store takedowns, ISP blocks, and restrictions on payment gateways.
Focus on building a safe, regulated esports ecosystem for players and fans.
What the Law Says
The impact has been immediate. Major apps including Dream11, MPL, Zupee, PokerBaazi, Probo, Gameskraft and others have shut down or suspended their real-money features. Refunds are being processed for users, while some companies are pivoting to free-to-play or esports formats.
Industry bodies have raised concerns that the move could cause:
₹20,000 crore annual loss in tax revenues.
A ₹27,000 crore hit in advertising income.
Job losses across tech, gaming, and marketing sectors.
A surge in illegal offshore betting platforms, raising money laundering risks.
Voices of Concern
Several industry leaders have criticized the blanket ban. Anupam Mittal (People Group) warned that India may be “over-regulating like China,” potentially pushing millions of users underground. Others argue that skill-based games like fantasy sports and poker should have been exempt.
The Sports & Esports Angle
For the sports world, the move is a double-edged sword.
Fantasy sports, which had become a massive fan engagement platform for cricket and football, now face an uncertain future.
At the same time, esports gets a major boost. With government recognition and regulatory backing, professional competitive gaming may finally grow as a mainstream sport in India, opening new opportunities for players, organizers, and fans.
What Lies Ahead
The government maintains that the priority is to protect young players from addiction and financial exploitation, while encouraging healthy, skill-based gaming. The coming months will decide how enforcement plays out, how esports adapts, and whether legal challenges from the industry succeed.
One thing is certain: this is a historic reset for India’s online gaming industry—a shift from betting to esports, from controversy to sport.
