The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 proposes a complete ban on real-money gaming (RMG)—covering games of both skill and chance involving monetary stakes. The bill prohibits offering, promoting, or advertising such games, with heavy penalties for violators. Industry stakeholders warn the move could devastate a $25-billion sector employing over 2 lakh people.
Industry’s Concerns: Jobs, Revenues, and Illegal Migration
Gaming companies argue the ban will:
- Drive users to offshore betting sites and matka operators, exposing them to fraud and unsafe platforms.
- Cause the government to lose $4 billion annually in GST revenues from offshore players—more than the $3.5 billion earned by India’s RMG industry.
- Threaten 2 lakh jobs, tax contributions of ₹25,000 crore, and $3 billion in FDI already invested in the sector.
Key Players at Risk
Prominent RMG firms such as Dream11, Games24x7, MPL, Nazara Technologies, and Gameskraft face existential challenges. Despite a 28% GST regime since 2023, many have posted strong profits—Gameskraft earned ₹947 crore in FY24, while Dream11 netted ₹188 crore in FY23. Experts say the ban could derail IPO plans and future funding.
Legal and Constitutional Hurdles
Critics call the bill “unconstitutional” for failing to differentiate games of skill from gambling. Multiple High Courts have upheld that skill gaming enjoys protection under Article 19(1)(g) (right to trade). Industry lawyer Jay Sayta said the government should wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict in the Gameskraft case, which will decide if RMG qualifies as gambling.
What Lies Ahead?
With cross-party consensus in Parliament on banning money gaming, industry bodies like AIGF, EGF, and FIFS have urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to reconsider. The government insists it prioritises social welfare over revenue, citing the estimated ₹20,000 crore lost annually by 45 crore Indians on RMG platforms.
