Overview

• Head Digital Works’ A23 petition in the Karnataka High Court argues the new law unconstitutionally criminalises skill games such as rummy and poker, with the case listed for hearing on August 30.
• The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 outlaws all online money games regardless of skill or chance, makes offences cognisable and non-bailable, bars payment processing, and empowers a new Authority to classify and oversee games.
• Local reports say Junglee Rummy has also moved the High Court, with petitions asserting violations of the rights to trade and equality and urging regulation instead of prohibition.
• Major platforms including Dream11, MPL, Games24x7, GamesKraft and PokerBaazi suspended paid contests and deposits; Dream11’s CEO said about 95% of revenues vanished, and some companies say they will comply rather than litigate.
• Video game publishers formed the Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association in support of the Act, pursuing a Maharashtra partnership, even as open questions persist on how lootboxes and item trading will be treated.