Lok Sabha clears Online Gaming Bill 2025: Which Indian apps likely to be hit after Parliament approval?
The new legislation will significantly impact fantasy sports and real-money gaming platforms that dominate the market
PTC Web Desk: The Lok Sabha on Wednesday passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 during the monsoon session of Parliament. The Bill, introduced by Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, seeks to encourage e-sports and casual gaming while imposing a complete ban on real-money online games and betting platforms due to rising concerns over addiction, financial risks, and national security.
The Bill was passed without discussion as Opposition MPs staged protests demanding a debate on the Election Commission’s special revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. Once the legislation clears the Rajya Sabha and receives presidential assent, offering or facilitating online money gaming could invite up to three years’ imprisonment and/or a fine of Rs 1 crore.
In addition, the Bill bars banks and financial institutions from processing payments for such platforms and prohibits advertisements promoting real-money gaming.
Why now?
Explaining the move, Ashwini Vaishnaw said, “People lose their life savings in online money gaming.” He stressed that many offshore-based platforms are evading Indian taxation, exploiting state-level loopholes, and in some cases, being misused for money laundering, terror financing, and cross-border communication by extremist groups. The government, he said, aims to regulate the sector by promoting e-sports and social gaming while tackling the risks of gambling-based apps.
Industry impact
The new legislation will significantly impact fantasy sports and real-money gaming platforms that dominate the market:
Dream11: Valued at $8 billion, Dream11 is one of the largest fantasy cricket platforms, especially popular during the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Mobile Premier League (MPL): With a valuation of $2.5 billion, MPL has grown rapidly through mobile-based gaming.
Other platforms likely to be hit include My11Circle, Howzat, SG11 Fantasy, WinZO, RummyCircle (Games24x7), Junglee Games (Rummy & Poker), PokerBaazi, GamesKraft (RummyCulture), and investors like Nazara Technologies, which holds stakes in PokerBaazi.
Following the Bill’s passage, shares of Nazara Technologies plunged up to 13% in Mumbai, while Delta Corp Ltd., a casino operator, recovered slightly after early losses.
What’s next?
The Bill also envisions a dedicated regulatory body for overseeing e-sports, social games, and educational platforms. It now awaits clearance from the Rajya Sabha before being sent for presidential approval to become law.