India Bans Online Gambling: New Law Criminalises Fantasy Sports, Poker and Card Games

New Delhi – India Parliament has passed a landmark bill banning online gambling and fantasy money games, marking a decisive move against what the government described as a multi billion dollar industry preying on vulnerable citizens.

The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025 criminalises the offering, promotion and financing of online gambling activities, including card games, poker, rummy and fantasy sports. Offenders can face up to five years in prison if found guilty.

Government data revealed that nearly 450 million Indians lost over $2.3 billion annually on gambling platforms, leading to financial distress, addiction and even suicides in some cases. Officials also linked the industry to fraud, money laundering and terrorism financing.

The new law has raised questions about the future of Dream11, India’s largest fantasy sports platform and the current lead sponsor of the Indian national cricket team. While the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has not issued an official statement, secretary Devajit Saikia confirmed, “If it’s not permissible, we’ll not do anything. The BCCI will follow every policy framed by the central government.”

Dream11, in a statement, said that following the passing of the bill, all cash games and contests have been discontinued, though other non-cash activities remain online for now.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the legislation, saying it would both encourage e-sports and social gaming while protecting society from the “harmful effects of online money games.”

Technology Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw clarified that the bill distinguishes between constructive digital recreation such as e-sports and educational games, and gambling-based money games, which exploit users with false promises of profit.

The law still requires the President’s formal approval before taking effect but once ratified it will fundamentally reshape one of the world’s largest online gaming markets.

Industry associations had earlier urged regulation and taxation instead of a blanket ban warning the move could push users towards illegal offshore platforms. However lawmakers argued that the social costs outweighed the economic benefits, citing rising cases of debt broken families and mental health crises tied to gambling addiction.

The government has pledged to promote e-sports and educational games as part of India’s growing digital economy, while strictly cracking down on gambling-based online platforms.