Overview

• After clearing the Lok Sabha, the Rajya Sabha passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, which bans all online money games without distinguishing between skill and chance.
• Probo paused recharges and urged users to withdraw funds, Dream11 told staff it will wind down real-money operations, and Zupee said it is discontinuing paid games.
• The law directs banks and payment firms to block transactions tied to prohibited games and bars advertising for such services.
• Operators face up to three years in jail and ₹1 crore fines, with promoters and endorsers liable for up to two years’ imprisonment and ₹50 lakh penalties.
• Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw defended the measure as curbing social harm and promoting e-sports, while Karnataka’s IT minister warned of job losses, investor chill and user migration to offshore platforms as industry players prepare legal challenges.