India’s lower house of parliament just passed a bill that is set to shake up the online gaming industry in the country. The bill, titled the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, aims to promote esports and casual gaming without monetary stakes, but it’s also putting a firm ban on real-money games.
The Impact of the Bill
The legislation, if passed, could have a significant impact on the real-money gaming industry in India, potentially leading to widespread shutdowns. Payments for real-money games would be prohibited, with anyone offering these games facing imprisonment or hefty fines. Even celebrities promoting such games could be in hot water.
Industry Pushback
Industry stakeholders are not taking this lying down, as expressed in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi from various industry bodies. They argue that the bill could drive players towards illegal offshore gambling platforms while forcing Indian businesses to close down. The potential losses in terms of jobs and revenue are staggering.
The Road Ahead
The bill has now passed the lower house and is awaiting approval from the upper house and the president. The outcome remains to be seen, but the gaming industry in India is bracing for significant changes. On one hand, some companies are welcoming the move, while others are gearing up for a fight. Stay tuned for more updates on this evolving story.
“We totally support this decision because now we can focus on the important stuff like making money, keeping players hooked, and creating killer games for India and beyond. No more wasting time explaining ourselves to everyone,” said Sumit Batheja, the CEO of Ginger Games, a part of Krafton’s Indian gaming hub that churns out hyper-casual games.
Krafton, the genius behind the addictive battle royale game PUBG, is all for the Indian government’s ban on Real Money Gaming and the push for regulations. 🇮🇳 It’s a win-win – saving our youth from addiction and debt while paving the way for the future of Indian gaming with original content.
Clear the Confusion
Akshat Rathee, the brain behind esports giant NODWIN Gaming, is all about defining the rules for esports, online gaming, and money gaming. It’s time to stop the mix-ups and create a level playing field for all involved. Let’s make sure everyone knows what’s what!
No More Guesswork
According to Bal from TechCrunch, the new bill is like a sucker punch to esports, with the government calling the shots on what’s legit and what’s not. The ripple effect could hurt not just real money gaming but the entire AVGC industry. India needs to find the right balance between regulation and growth without leaving businesses high and dry.
