- India’s Parliament approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill on August 21, 2025. The law bans real money online gambling in India.
AMARAVATI, India – The Indian Parliament passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill last week. It bans financially incentivized mobile gambling apps.
The Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill last comes in response to concerns regarding gambling addiction and recently emerging gaming disorder.
India began imposing harsher gambling regulations earlier this year. There were five legal betting apps in India that were banned for promoting unauthorized gambling, including the platforms Dream11, Mobile Premier League, My11Ciccle, WinZo, and PokerBaazi.
Unauthorized gambling app users and developers will now face criminal punishment in India, according to the new legislation. One may face up to three years in prison and heavy fines for using or promoting online money games.
Advertising gambling platforms may also face a fine of up to fifty lakh rupees and a penalty of up to two years.
The bill ultimately seeks to recognize dangers and safeguard Indian citizens from further detriments caused by legal online betting.
In India, gambling legislation varies by state. However, there are very few participants. As of now, there are 21 legal casinos in India, with only three states (Goa, Sikkim, and Daman) offering in-person venues for poker and other casino games.
This new initiative should promote in-person venues in India, with players transitioning from legal online casinos to in-person markets.
