Real Money Gaming Is Now Banned in India

India's government passed the Online Gaming Bill, which banned all forms of real-money gambling in the country. Now what?

With the online gaming industry, you never really know what to expect as things change in a matter of moments.

For players in India, there is a shift in seasons in terms of online gaming experiences due to new laws. With the promotion and regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 passed in August 2025, the government is quickly moving to ban real-money games.

Play time is over

Casinos have already started sending out notifications and emails regarding the changes to the gambling regulations in India. This affects Superfly Partners Brands like 21Prive Casino, Slotnite Casino, Skol Casino, G’Day Casino, Diamond7, and Hello Casino. All who are no longer able to provide gaming excitement to players in the region.

Based on the recent gambling ban in India, these sites have been required to cease all activities. There is an immediate action requirement for platforms to stop marketing activities directed at Indian players. Leading to a dead stop in all promotions, campaigns, and content aimed at the region.

Players have also been notified that from 8 September, gameplay is no longer possible, and outstanding funds are being returned in the coming days.

This affects both the local Indian casinos and international operators. And this shutdown is happening in one of the fastest-growing online gambling markets in the world.

More about the ban

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was approved by India’s Union Cabinet on 21 August 2025. The new bill bans any form of real money gaming, which includes poker, fantasy sports, online lotteries, and other games.

Any games that require fees or deposits fall under this category and are banned. Should restrictions be violated, those in the wrong could face a 3 year prison sentence and fines of up to INR10 million.

The primary reason for the ban is the growing concern regarding addiction, as well as an attempt to protect minors. It is expected that a national authority will be established that will regulate online games, categorise titles, and oversee any and all complaints.

Industry impact

The bill also puts an end to celebrity endorsements of any gaming apps. While also making sure no financial institutions process online gambling-related transactions.

The ban had an immediate impact on the industry, with many of the major platforms pulling out of the Indian market. This includes SOFTSWISS and other big names that have all ceased their operations here.

With serious legal repercussions for anyone who does not fall in line, we’ve seen a quick and effective withdrawal by operators who do not know how to face the consequences.

Grey area blacked out

While the skill-based sector has always managed to go under the radar as it had been more of a grey area, games like Rummy and fantasy sports are now completely outlawed unless they’re offered in a free-to-play format.

This affects many big companies, such as Flutter Entertainment, which acquired Junglee Games in 2021.

According to Flutter CEO Peter Jackson, they are disappointed with the sudden changes in the regulatory landscape, as Junglee invested quite a lot in the local market by creating jobs as they work on delivering innovative gaming products to Indian players.

The All India Gaming Federation (AIGF) has been advocating for a centralised regulatory framework that protects players and fights the black market. And instead, the government blindsided operators by opting to ban it all.

Offshore operators who have often operated outside of or skirting the rules may still draw in players, but the government has made moves to block 1,500 illegal casinos and gambling sites in recent years.

They even took on tech giants like Meta and Google to get their cooperation in addressing gambling-related advertisements.

India is not playing around, and instead of embracing the fast-growing gaming market, it appears they are putting out the fire completely instead.

Do you enjoy this article?

Share your experience on Trustpilot

By Deni

Verified Casino Expert

Expertise: Casino Content Writing, Journalism & (PR), Gambling Regulations, Dutch & German Gambling Markets

Hi, I'm Deni! I'm a research obsessive with a passion for gambling regulations, market trends, and casino news. I dig deep into every topic I cover - so every article, review, or guide I write is built on solid research and real detail.

Learn about our Review Process

Anything incorrect or missing?

Last updated: September 17, 2025

Let us know

Most Popular

Pragmatic Play's mega slot releases worth playing in 2026

Prediction markets are coming for iGaming, and Gen Z is already there. Expert insights included

Google has blocked over 270 million illegal gambling ads in 2025

Evoke agrees to a £243m William Hill takeover by Bally's Intralot

Ontario's market success sets the stage for Alberta's upcoming launch

{"3":{"n":"Games Global","i":"11-2025\/games-global-icon.png"},"4":{"n":"NetEnt","i":"netent-icon1.png"},"11":{"n":"Novomatic","i":"novomatic-icon-1.png"},"12":{"n":"Play'n GO","i":"play-n-go-icon1.png"},"13":{"n":"Big Time Gaming","i":"btg-icon-1.png"},"14":{"n":"Barcrest","i":"barcrest-icon-1.png"},"15":{"n":"WMS","i":"wms-icon-1.png"},"16":{"n":"NYX Interactive","i":"nyx-icon1.png"},"17":{"n":"NextGen Gaming","i":"nextgen-icon.png"},"18":{"n":"IGT","i":"igt-icon-1.png"},"19":{"n":"Yggdrasil","i":"yggdrasil-icon-1.png"},"20":{"n":"EGT Digital","i":"egt-digital-icon.png"},"21":{"n":"Betsoft","i":"Betsoft-icon.png"},"22":{"n":"Evolution","i":"evolution-icon-1.png"},"23":{"n":"Merkur Gaming","i":"merkur-gaming.png"},"24":{"n":"Thunderkick","i":"thunderkick-icon.png"},"27":{"n":"Aristocrat","i":"11-2025\/Aristocrat-gaming-icon.png"},"28":{"n":"Playtech","i":"Playtech.png"},"29":{"n":"Quickspin","i":"11-2025\/quickspin-icon.png"},"30":{"n":"Bally Gaming","i":"Bally-Gaming-icon.png"},"31":{"n":"Light & Wonder","i":"11-2025\/Light-and-Wonder-icon.png"},"34":{"n":"Pragmatic Play","i":"Pragmatic-Play-icon.png"},"35":{"n":"Push Gaming","i":"pushgaming-icon.png"},"36":{"n":"Relax Gaming","i":"relax-gaming-icon.png"},"37":{"n":"Hacksaw Gaming","i":"hacksaw-gaming-icon.png"},"38":{"n":"Nolimit City","i":"nolimit-city-icon (1).png"},"39":{"n":"Amatic","i":"amatic-icon(1).png"},"40":{"n":"BGaming","i":"BGaming-icon.png"},"41":{"n":"Blueprint Gaming","i":"blueprint-gaming-icon.png"},"42":{"n":"ELK Studios","i":"elk-studios-icon.png"},"43":{"n":"Ezugi","i":"ezugi-icon.png"},"44":{"n":"Gamomat","i":"gamomat-icon.png"},"45":{"n":"Habanero","i":"habanero-icon.png"},"46":{"n":"iSoftBet","i":"isoftbet-icon1.png"},"47":{"n":"Playson","i":"playson-icon.png"},"48":{"n":"Red Tiger Gaming","i":"redtiger-icon(1).png"},"49":{"n":"Wazdan","i":"wazdan-icon(1).png"},"50":{"n":"Amusnet","i":"amusnet-icon.png"}}

{"2":{"n":"VISA & Mastercard","i":"VISA-MasterCard-Icon-1.png"},"3":{"n":"Skrill","i":"Skrill-Icon-1.png"},"4":{"n":"Neteller","i":"Neteller-Icon-1.png"},"5":{"n":"Paysafecard","i":"Paysafecard-Icon-1.png"},"7":{"n":"Pay N Play","i":"Pay-N-Play-Icon-1.png"},"9":{"n":"iDebit Canada","i":"iDebit-Icon-1.png"},"10":{"n":"Entercash","i":"Entercash-Icon-1.png"},"11":{"n":"iDeal","i":"IDEAL-Icon-1.png"},"12":{"n":"Citadel","i":"Citadel-Icon-1.png"},"13":{"n":"Payz","i":"payz-icon.png"},"14":{"n":"Sofort","i":"sofort-icon-2.png"},"15":{"n":"Bank Transfer","i":"Bank-Transfer-Icon-1.png"},"16":{"n":"Zimpler","i":"zimpler-icon.png"},"17":{"n":"PayPal","i":"PayPal-Icon-1.png"},"18":{"n":"Apple Pay","i":"Apple-Pay-Icon-1.png"},"20":{"n":"Cheque","i":"Cheque-Icon-1.png"},"21":{"n":"Bitcoin","i":"Bitcoin-Icon-1.png"},"22":{"n":"Euteller","i":"Euteller-Icon-1.png"},"23":{"n":"Trustly","i":"Trustly-Icon1.png"},"24":{"n":"Instadebit Canada","i":"Instadebit-Icon-1.png"},"25":{"n":"UPI","i":"upi-icon.png"},"26":{"n":"RuPay","i":"RuPay-icon.png"},"27":{"n":"PayTM","i":"paytm-icon.png"},"28":{"n":"AstroPay","i":"astropay-icon.png"},"29":{"n":"Jeton","i":"jeton-icon.png"},"30":{"n":"MuchBetter","i":"muchbetter-icon.png"},"31":{"n":"Interac","i":"Interac-icon.png"},"32":{"n":"Swish","i":"Swish-icon.png"},"33":{"n":"POLi","i":"poli-icon.png"},"34":{"n":"Neosurf","i":"neosurf-icon.png"},"35":{"n":"Siirto","i":"Siirto-icon.png"},"36":{"n":"Coinbase","i":"coinbase-icon(1).png"},"37":{"n":"Binance","i":"Binance-icon(1).png"},"38":{"n":"Kraken","i":"kraken-icon.png"},"39":{"n":"Ethereum","i":"ethereum-icon(1).png"},"40":{"n":"Dogecoin","i":"dogecoin-icon.png"},"41":{"n":"Litecoin","i":"litecoin-icon.png"},"42":{"n":"MB WAY","i":"4-2026\/MB-Way-icon.png"},"43":{"n":"Multibanco","i":"4-2026\/Multibanco-icon.png"},"44":{"n":"Bizum","i":"5-2026\/Bizum-icon.png"}}

Real money gaming is now banned in India

Play time is over

More about the ban

Industry impact