The Indian government’s recent passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, marks a significant shift in the online gaming landscape. The law introduces a blanket ban on all real-money gaming platforms involving skill and chance, wherein players deposit money with a reasonable expectation of earning monetary rewards.
Affected Platforms
Several prominent Indian gaming apps are directly impacted by this new law:
- Dream11: A leading fantasy sports platform where users pay to create virtual teams and win cash prizes based on real-world sports performance.
- MyTeam11: Another major fantasy sports app offering similar services to Dream11.
- RummyCircle: A popular platform for playing rummy with real money stakes.
- WinZO: A gaming platform offering a variety of games with real money involvement.
- Games24x7: The parent company of RummyCircle, also affected by the new legislation.
- PokerBaazi: An online poker platform that will be impacted by the ban.
- GamesKraft, the parent company of RummyCircle, is also affected by the new legislation.
- My11Circle: A fantasy sports platform that will be impacted by the ban.
These platforms are now prohibited from offering, facilitating, advertising, or promoting online games that involve monetary stakes.
Legal Implications
The law imposes harsh punishments; violators can be imprisoned for a term extending to three years, and a monetary fine of up to ₹1 crore can be levied on an individual. Financial intermediaries and advertisers referring to such platforms are punishable strangers.
Industry Impact
With approximately 86% of the $3.7 billion online gaming market in India, the real-money gaming sector is a huge industry. The ban puts this huge industry at risk and disruption, potentially leading to a huge loss of revenues and job cuts. Additionally, the ban could dilute sports sponsorships to some extent, as sponsors such as Dream11 sponsor leagues, including the IPL.
Looking Ahead
Post-consideration in the Lok Sabha, the Bill requires ratification from the Rajya Sabha and assent from the President for it to be enacted into Law. Upon enactment, the law shall shake up the Indian online gaming ecosystem, promoting e-sports and skill-based gaming at the expense of real-money gaming platforms.
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