The Indian gaming industry is staring at a major shake-up after the Lok Sabha cleared the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 on August 20.
The legislation brings a blanket ban on all real-money online games, meaning apps where players stake money and win cash prizes will no longer be allowed. This directly impacts some of the country’s most popular fantasy and card-based platforms, including Dream11, My11Circle, MPL (Mobile Premier League), WinZO, RummyCircle, PokerBaazi, A23 (Ace2Three), and Junglee Rummy.
What the Bill Says
All money-based games — whether chance or skill — are prohibited. Earlier court rulings had protected fantasy cricket apps like Dream11 as “games of skill,” but the new bill overrides that distinction.
Heavy penalties: Companies violating the law could face fines up to ₹1 crore and 3 years in jail, while celebrities or advertisers endorsing banned apps may face ₹50 lakh fines and 2 years’ imprisonment.
Financial clampdown: Banks and payment gateways will be barred from processing transactions linked to real-money gaming apps.
What’s Still Allowed
The bill makes a clear distinction between gambling-style games and esports. Popular esports and casual titles such as BGMI, Free Fire, Real Cricket, EA Sports FC (formerly FIFA Mobile), and GTA Online will continue, since they don’t offer cash rewards. The government says its aim is to promote esports, educational games, and safe social gaming while cracking down on gambling risks.
Industry Impact
The move has triggered alarm in India’s booming fantasy sports market, especially with cricket season around the corner. Platforms like Dream11 and MPL sponsor IPL teams and tournaments; experts warn that a ban could hit sponsorship revenues, jobs, and India’s global gaming investments.
For players, this means fantasy cricket contests, online rummy, and poker apps offering cash rewards will soon vanish unless the Rajya Sabha blocks or softens the bill.
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