India has moved decisively to outlaw real-money gaming, passing new legislation that bans popular platforms such as Dream11, My11Circle, MPL, and PokerBaazi. The measure, known as the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, is one of the country’s most sweeping crackdowns on digital entertainment to date.
A Sweeping Prohibition
The law prohibits any online game involving monetary stakes—whether based on chance or skill. Companies, advertisers, and payment providers found in violation face penalties of up to three years in prison and fines of ₹1 crore. Government officials say the ban is aimed at protecting citizens from financial harm, gambling addiction, and the use of gaming platforms for money laundering.
Industry Giants Forced to Retreat
Within hours of the announcement, India’s biggest players began winding down operations. Dream11, once valued at nearly $8 billion, suspended its money-based contests and shifted focus to free-to-play platforms such as FanCode and Cricbuzz. Similar shutdowns swept across other fantasy sports, rummy, and poker operators.
The Economic Fallout
The gaming sector, worth an estimated $3.6 billion and projected to double by the end of the decade, now faces an uncertain future. Analysts warn of steep job losses, evaporating foreign investment, and a sharp fall in tax revenues. “This is an earthquake for India’s digital economy,” one industry executive said.
Critics Warn of Underground Markets
Supporters of the ban say it will save families from financial ruin. Critics argue the opposite: that the prohibition will push millions of users toward offshore betting sites and crypto-based platforms beyond the government’s control, heightening the risk of money laundering and lost tax revenues.
A Fragile Balance Ahead
The government has positioned the law as both a safeguard and a cultural shift—discouraging gambling-like behavior while promoting e-sports and casual social gaming. Whether the ban can curb addiction without fueling an underground market will be the defining test of India’s new gaming regime.
