India’s $3.7 billion real-money gaming (RMG) industry is reeling after the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, passed by Parliament on August 21, 2025, banned all online games involving real-money transactions. Targeting addiction and financial distress, the legislation threatens to cripple platforms like Dream11, RummyCircle, and MyTeam11, impacting jobs, investments, and India’s digital economy.
SurveyThe Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aims to curb the “social evils” of RMG while promoting e-sports and social gaming. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw cited the World Health Organization’s classification of gaming disorder, stating, “45 crore people have been affected, with ₹20,000 crore of middle-class savings lost.” The bill bans real-money games, related ads, and financial transactions, imposing fines up to ₹1 crore and three years’ imprisonment for violators. An Online Gaming Authority will oversee the sector, focusing on non-monetary gaming growth.
Also read: Online Gaming Bill 2025: Here’s how you can file ITR for online gaming income
Major platforms in peril
The RMG sector, which accounts for 86% of India’s gaming market, faces an existential crisis. Key players include:
- Dream11: Valued at $8 billion, this fantasy sports giant has shut down its core RMG operations, which form over two-thirds of its revenue. It’s pivoting to non-monetary ventures like FanCode and exploring overseas expansion.
- MyTeam11: With over 5 million downloads, this fantasy sports platform may need to shift to non-monetary models or face closure.
- RummyCircle: Operated by Games24x7, this rummy platform with 50 million downloads is at risk of shutting down due to its reliance on real-money games.
- Mobile Premier League (MPL): Valued at $2.5 billion, MPL’s real-money games are under threat, and the company has remained silent on its plans.
- WinZO: With 50 million downloads, WinZO’s card games and quizzes face restrictions, disrupting its business model.
- PokerBaazi: Backed by Nazara Technologies, its shares dropped 7% post-bill, reflecting investor fears.
- Junglee Games: Its rummy and poker platforms, with over 10 million downloads, are directly targeted.
- GamesKraft (RummyCulture): With 10 million downloads, this rummy platform faces an uncertain future.
Also read: ChatGPT to Gemini: How much energy do your AI queries cost?
Economic fallout
Industry bodies like the All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) warn of severe consequences:
- Job Losses: Over 200,000 jobs across 400 companies are at risk as platforms scale back or close.
- Investment Losses: ₹25,000 crore in foreign direct investment could vanish, stunting startup growth.
- Tax Revenue Drop: The RMG sector’s 28% GST and 30% winnings tax contribute significantly to government revenue, potentially losing ₹20,000 crore annually.
- Unregulated Platforms: The ban may push users to offshore betting sites, increasing fraud risks.
Smrita Singh Chandra, ex-Vice President of Policy at Dream11, called the bill “unethical” on LinkedIn, criticizing the criminalization of skill-based gaming without consultation.
The road ahead
As the bill awaits presidential assent, companies are scrambling to adapt. Dream11’s shift to FanCode and Cricbuzz signals a broader pivot to e-sports and social gaming, but the transition is challenging for platforms built on RMG. Industry bodies like AIGF and IAMAI advocate for balanced regulations, distinguishing skill-based games from gambling, but the government’s focus on socio-economic harms suggests little room for compromise.
For millions of gamers, the ban ends an era of entertainment and economic opportunity. The industry, which employs thousands and fuels innovation, faces a pivotal moment. Can it reinvent itself under the new regulatory reality, or will the Online Gaming Bill, 2025, deal a fatal blow to one of India’s fastest-growing sectors?
Also read: Lok Sabha passes bill to ban real-money online games: Full story in 5 points
Follow Us
Vyom Ramani
A journalist with a soft spot for tech, games, and things that go beep. While waiting for a delayed metro or rebooting his brain, you’ll find him solving Rubik’s Cubes, bingeing F1, or hunting for the next great snack. View Full Profile
