
A Rising Tide of Addiction and Financial Ruin
Real-money gaming—including fantasy sports, rummy, and poker—has surged in popularity across India, drawing players into platforms promising quick gains. However, behind the promise lies a disturbing trend of addictive design features. The proposed Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 underscores how “manipulative design features” drive compulsive behavior, resulting in debt, psychological distress, and, tragically, even suicides.
Protecting Vulnerable Youths and Mindsets
Young people, vulnerable to peer influence and poorly equipped to manage monetary risk, have become primary victims. Reports link rapid financial losses from real-money games to deteriorating mental health among teens and young adults. A total prohibition could serve as a preventative shield, reducing exposure to addictive mechanisms and preserving mental well-being.

National Security and Regulatory Oversight
Real-money games, especially those linked to offshore operators, pose risks beyond personal harm. Without regulation, such platforms can act as conduits for money laundering, untraceable financial flows, and data breaches. The bill proposes curbing this risk by effectively cutting off financial and promotional lifelines through a blanket ban.
Simplifying Enforcement: A Clean Break Is Easier
Previous regulatory attempts—targeting “games of skill” distinctly from “chance” formats—have struggled with classification ambiguity and uneven judicial verdicts. A blanket ban simplifies enforcement and eliminates legal gray zones.
Under the new proposal, banks and payment gateways would be barred from facilitating real-money gaming transactions, and promotional activity would be outlawed.
Deterrence Through Penalties
To ensure compliance, the bill proposes stringent punitive measures: up to three years imprisonment and fines reaching ₹1 crore for violators. Advertising such platforms could invite separate penalties, with repeat offenses incurring even harsher consequences.
Counterarguments: Weighing the Economic Fallout
Revenue, Jobs, & Innovation at Stake
The gaming industry—once dubbed India’s “sunrise sector”—generates substantial economic activity. Currently, it contributes over ₹20,000 crore annually in taxes, supports more than 200,000 jobs, drew ₹25,000 crore in FDI, and comprises hundreds of startups. The proposed ban threatens livelihoods and undermines digital entrepreneurship.
The Risk of an Unregulated Exodus
Industry leaders warn that prohibition won’t eliminate demand—it will foster migration toward illegal offshore platforms or matka networks lacking regulatory oversight. Users risk exploitation, identity theft, and financial fraud.
Constitutional & Legal Concerns
Historically, Indian courts have recognized games of skill—such as fantasy sports—as legally distinct from gambling. A blanket ban may infringe on fundamental rights under Article 19(1)(g) (trade) and Article 19(1)(a) (expression). Legal challenges are likely, potentially delaying enforcement.

A Balanced View: Prohibition as a Precursor to Structure
While harsh in its immediate impact, a temporary blanket ban could serve to:
- Halt runaway unchecked growth.
- Guard public health and societal well-being.
- Allow lawmakers breathing space to craft a more comprehensive, balanced regulatory framework.
- Reinforce the principle that online gaming, if permitted, must prioritize consumer protection, transparency, and fairness.
Once the ban stabilizes the market, India could introduce structured systems—for example:
- A licensing regime distinguishing skill-based from chance-based platforms.
- A regulatory authority (as the bill suggests) empowered to monitor, license, and enforce compliance nationwide
India stands at a crossroads. The government’s proposed blanket ban on real-money gaming is a decisive move aimed at safeguarding mental health, financial security, and societal integrity. The potential economic fallout is real and cannot be dismissed—but so too are the risks of unchecked proliferation of exploitative platforms.