Blanket ban
India’s Ministry of Information & Broadcasting (MIB) has announced the government’s passing of the 2025 Online Gaming Act along with a sweeping ban on online real money games.
outlaws all forms of digital real money games
In a Wednesday press release, the ministry went straight to the ban, stating that the new act outlaws all forms of digital real money games, be they games of chance, skill, or any combination thereof.
The MIB then stated that the new act bans advertising, promoting, and offering or facilitating blacklisted games, and gives authorities the power to block access to illegal platforms under the 2000 IT Act.
Processing of all financial transactions linked to such games via banks or payment platforms is also banned.
Strict penalties
The penalties for violating the ban underscore one of India’s strongest regulatory moves in the sector’s history.
Persons offering or facilitating real money online games will now face either three years in jail or a fine not exceeding ₹1 crore ($108,000) or both. Repeat offenders face three to five years jail and fines of up to maximum ₹2 crore ($215,300), according to the MIB.
Advertising such games comes with either or both two years in jail and a fine not exceeding ₹50 lakh, ($53,800). Repeat offenders face two to three years in prison and fines of up to ₹1 crore ($108,000).
promoting innovation in e-sports and social gaming”
The Online Gaming Act 2025 shared in the Indian Parliament on Wednesday was enacted, according to officials, to “build a safer digital gaming ecosystem while promoting innovation in e-sports and social gaming.”
Game over, for some
In light of the latter, the act will also see the formation of the Online Gaming Authority of India, to regulate legal online social games and e-sports.
The MIB said the new central regulator will help “position India as a global leader in the online gaming domain, while ensuring that technological growth aligns with the national interest and the principles of consumer protection.”
According to the iGaming trade, India’s ban is expected to be fast and brutal with real money gaming sites facing shutdowns or complete overhauls, with payment providers and advertisers also needing to exercise due caution.
