Overview

• The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Act, 2025 became law on August 22, banning all real‑money online games regardless of whether they involve skill or chance.
• Violations carry up to three years’ imprisonment or fines up to Rs 1 crore, with separate penalties for advertising and a bar on banks and payment providers from facilitating transactions.
• Head Digital Works’ petition challenges sections defining “online money games” and prohibiting operations, advertising and payments, arguing violations of constitutional rights under Articles 14, 19, 21 and 301.
• Justice B. M. Shyam Prasad indicated the matter will be heard on August 30, as major platforms including Dream11, MPL and PokerBaazi have already suspended cash contests.
• Industry reactions have diverged, with some companies declining to sue and pivoting to free‑to‑play, while developers formed the IGPDA supporting the Act and a new Authority to register and oversee non‑money games.