India’s real-money online gaming industry has taken a major hit following the passage of the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. Now officially law after receiving President Droupadi Murmu’s approval, the Act bans all forms of online games involving real money, while supporting the growth of e-sports and social online games.

The government says the move is aimed at tackling growing concerns around gaming addiction, financial fraud, and money laundering linked to online betting and gambling platforms.

Following the law’s approval, leading platforms like Dream11, My11Circle, WinZO, Zupee, and PokerBaazi have suspended their real-money gaming services.

A23, which runs rummy and poker games, has taken a different approach. In a petition filed in the Karnataka High Court, the company argued that the law unfairly targets legitimate skill-based games. It warned that enforcing this law could wipe out many gaming companies overnight.

“The law criminalises the legitimate business of playing online games of skill,” A23 said in its filing, calling the law a product of "state paternalism." The company has asked the court to declare the law unconstitutional when applied to skill-based games like rummy and poker. The IT Ministry has not yet responded to the case or issued a public comment.

A23 claims to have over 70 million users on its platform.

Unlike A23, companies like Gameskraft and Dream11 have chosen not to challenge the law. Gameskraft, the maker of RummyCulture, confirmed it has suspended “Add Cash” and gameplay features on its rummy platforms after the bill was passed on August 22.

“As a law-abiding and responsible company, we fully respect the legislative process,” said a Gameskraft spokesperson. “We’ve already begun internal discussions to plan our next steps, while staying focused on compliance, player safety, and constructive dialogue with policymakers.”

Dream Sports co-founder and CEO Harsh Jain also said his company would not oppose the ban, despite the massive financial blow.

“95% of Dream11’s revenue is gone overnight—along with 100% of our profits,” Jain said in an interview with Moneycontrol. “But the government has made its stance clear. We don’t want to argue over what they’ve decided. We’d rather look ahead and adapt to the future.”

Jain added that Dream Sports has no plans for layoffs and will focus on evolving its business.

With real-money gaming now banned across the country, companies that once thrived on fantasy sports, poker, and rummy are being forced to reassess their strategies. While some may shift toward casual gaming or e-sports, others could challenge the law in court.

One thing is certain: India’s online gaming industry is entering a new and uncertain chapter.