India bans real-money online gaming under 2025 bill
India’s parliament banned real-money online gaming last month under the 2025 Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill. The law criminalises online play for money and its promotion, bars banks and payment providers from processing cash-game transactions, and sets penalties including fines and up to five years in jail. Critics warn the ban could push players towards unregulated offshore sites; Indian gaming company A23 has challenged the law.
Operators face criminal penalties and restrictions on payment processing, while A23’s challenge could test the law’s application.