New Delhi: The government of India has proposed a sweeping ban on online games involving money, a move that could upend a booming industry valued in the billions and backed by major foreign investors.
The draft Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 prohibits individuals and companies from offering, aiding, or engaging in online money games. The bill defines such games as those where users deposit money in expectation of winning monetary rewards or other benefits.
Violators could face penalties including a jail term of up to three years and fines, according to the 13-page draft. The bill cites concerns over manipulative design features, addictive.
India’s real money gaming sector, which includes fantasy sports apps like Dream11 and Mobile Premier League (MPL), has become one of the fastest-growing segments of the digital economy. Venture capital firm Lumikai estimates the market could reach $3.6 billion by 2029.
Dream11, valued at $8 billion, and MPL, at $2.5 billion, have drawn significant overseas funding. Their popularity is driven by aggressive marketing campaigns, including endorsements from top cricketers, and surges in user activity during the annual Indian Premier League cricket season.
Authorities have long flagged the risks posed by real money gaming, including gambling-like behaviour and financial distress among players. The draft bill underscores the government’s stance that such platforms exploit psychological vulnerabilities through addictive mechanics.
On Dream11, users can join fantasy cricket contests with entry fees as low as 8 rupees (10 U.S. cents), competing for prize pools that can exceed 1.2 million rupees ($14,000). While these games have fueled a lucrative industry, the government’s move threatens to dismantle the business model that underpins it.
If passed, the legislation could reshape India’s gaming landscape, forcing companies and investors to reassess their stakes in what had been seen as one of the world’s most promising digital markets.
