New Delhi: India’s booming online gaming sector is facing a major challenge with the introduction of the “Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025”, tabled in Parliament on Friday. If passed, the bill will prohibit all real money gaming platforms, including popular names such as Dream11, My11Circle, MPL, WinZO, Gameskraft, Rummy, and Pokerbaazi, categorising them under online gambling.
The proposed legislation seeks to outlaw all money-based online games—irrespective of whether they are skill-based or chance-based. Industry experts warn that this move could impact around 4 lakh companies, 2 lakh jobs, ₹25,000 crore in investments, and nearly ₹20,000 crore in annual GST revenue. With India’s online gaming market currently valued at $3.7 billion and projected to more than double to $9.1 billion by 2029, the ban could derail one of the fastest-growing digital industries in the country.
Executives from leading gaming firms have raised alarms, calling the bill a potential “death knell” for the industry. They argue that the sector—already regulated and backed by foreign investment—does not engage in illegal betting or money laundering practices. Instead, they stress that real money formats account for 86% of the industry’s current revenues and that a blanket ban would leave companies without a clear revenue model.
Industry bodies, including the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF), the E-Gaming Federation (EGF), and the Federation of Indian Fantasy Sports (FIFS), have written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking urgent intervention. They caution that if the bill is enacted, millions of genuine players could migrate to illegal and unregulated platforms, exposing them to financial and security risks. “The bill, if enacted, will cause serious harm and drive players into the hands of fly-by-night operators,” the AIGF warned.
The gaming sector also highlighted its indirect role in supporting Indian sports. Fantasy gaming companies are among the largest sponsors of domestic cricket, including state and city-level T20 leagues. A ban could severely weaken this sponsorship pipeline, limiting opportunities for young cricketing talent.
Industry insiders further criticised the government for moving ahead without consulting stakeholders. One senior executive noted that fantasy gaming platforms have been key in building India’s digital economy, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating jobs, and that the proposed ban could wipe out years of progress.