India law bans nearly all igaming platforms
India’s Parliament has passed a law to ban a large number of igaming platforms, after it was revealed that around 450 million people lost a combined US$2.3 billion to gambling each year.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill was passed by both houses of Parliament and bans the likes of card games, poker, and fantasy sports. Those found offering, promoting, or financing those games may face up to five years in prison.
A statement from the India Government said, “this legislation is designed to curb addiction, financial ruin, and social distress caused by predatory gaming platforms that thrive on misleading promises of quick wealth.”
However, the law has exceptions for e-sports and educational games, which the government says will be promoted as part of the digital economy, as India’s gaming industry is one of the largest in the world.
“It encourages e-sports, which are organised competitive video games, and promotes safe online social and educational games,” a government briefing note read.
The law comes after a discovery in June found that illegal igaming platforms in India had been visited more than 5 billion times between April 2024 and March 2025.
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Charlotte Capewell brings her passion for storytelling and expertise in writing, researching, and the gambling industry to every article she writes. Her specialties include the US gambling industry, regulator legislation, igaming, and more.
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