The Indian government aims to introduce a comprehensive ban on real-money gaming via the proposed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025. The legislation seeks to restrict online games involving any real-money stakes, prohibiting advertisements and financial transactions related to these games. Real-money gaming was a significant revenue source, generating $3.8 billion in the last financial year, with $2.4 billion coming specifically from this category. Concerns over harm from gambling have intensified, particularly following high-profile incidents linked to offshore betting apps.
"No bank, financial institution, or any other person facilitating financial transactions or authorization of funds shall engage in, permit, aid, abet, induce, or otherwise facilitate any transaction or authorization of funds towards payment for any online money gaming service."
Real-money gaming has been the biggest revenue driver for India's online gaming industry, which generated $3.8 billion in revenue in the financial year 2023-24.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025, would restrict online games involving real-money stakes and outlaw both their advertisements and financial transactions.
In 2023, the Indian government imposed a 28% tax on online gaming to curb real-money play - a move the industry called 'catastrophic' and 'unconstitutional.'
Collection
[
|
...
]